Lake Shore Drive Bridge (Michigan)

The Lake Shore Drive Bridge, also known as the M-26 Bridge[1] or the Eagle River Bridge,[2] is a pedestrian bridge in Eagle River, Michigan, crossing the Eagle River. It carried highway M-26 over the river from 1915 until 1990, when the adjacent Eagle River Timber Bridge replaced it for automobile traffic. The Lake Shore Drive Bridge is listed as a Michigan State Historic Site and is a contributing property of the Eagle River Historic District.

Lake Shore Drive Bridge
Coordinates47.4125°N 88.2967°W / 47.4125; -88.2967
CarriesPedestrians
CrossesEagle River
LocaleEagle River, Michigan
Other name(s)M-26 Bridge
Eagle River Bridge
Heritage statusMichigan State Historic Site
Designated: May 10, 1990
ID number42142021000B030
Followed byEagle River Timber Bridge
Characteristics
MaterialSteel
Total length139 feet (42 m)
Width18 feet (5.5 m)[1]
Longest span105 feet (32 m)
No. of spans3
History
DesignerMichigan State Highway Department
Constructed byWisconsin Bridge and Iron Company
Construction end1915

History

Construction
Looking along the length of the bridge

Originally located on the site was a Pratt through truss bridge, which by 1915 had deteriorated sufficiently to warrant replacement. The new bridge was designed by the Michigan State Highway Department under a system of standardized bridge plans provided to local communities on request. The Lake Shore Drive Bridge was constructed by the Wisconsin Bridge and Iron Company of Milwaukee, and was completed in 1915. The concrete abutments were made by the Smith-Byers-Sparks Company from Houghton, Michigan.[1] The Lake Shore Drive Bridge was one of two bridges built simultaneously over the Eagle River, the other located in Phoenix, Michigan.[1]

The bridge is a contributing property of the Eagle River Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 13, 1984.[3]

Replacement

In 1990, the adjacent Eagle River Timber Bridge opened for traffic and the Lake Shore Drive Bridge was relegated to pedestrian traffic. The Lake Shore Drive Bridge was listed as a Michigan State Historic Site on May 10, 1990, and an informational marker was erected in 1991.[1]

2007 inspection

The collapse of the I-35W Mississippi River bridge, a continuous deck truss,[4] in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007, prompted inspections of bridges of similar construction. Four bridges of this type were identified in Michigan, including the Lake Shore Drive Bridge.[5] The bridge was inspected on August 6, 2007,[5][6] and was determined to be safe.[4]

Architecture
Commemorative placard on the guard rail

The bridge is a Warren deck truss and continuous deck truss[4] made of riveted steel. The 139-foot (42 m) bridge has three spans: a main span of 105 feet (32 m) flanked by two 34-foot (10 m) spans. The guard rails are made of woven steel lattice.[1]

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See also
  • List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Keweenaw County, Michigan

References
  1. Staff. "Lake Shore Drive Bridge". State Historic Preservation Office. Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved December 31, 2011.
  2. Hanchey, C. (August 8, 2011). "Lake Shore Drive Bridge". BridgeHunter.com: Historic Bridges of the US. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  3. J.M. Davis (September 13, 1984). "NRHP Nomination: Eagle River Historic District (including accompanying 12 photos, from 1983)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service: 8, 11.
  4. Lake, James (August 7, 2007). "MDOT says M-26 Eagle River Bridge and state's three other continuous deck truss bridges are safe" (Press release). Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  5. Kelley, Frank E. (August 23, 2007). Minutes: Michigan State Transportation Commission Meeting (PDF) (Report). Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State Transportation Commission. Retrieved December 31, 2011.
  6. Gould, Karen (August 9, 2007). "Area Bridges Deemed Safe". St. Ignace News. Retrieved December 31, 2011.

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