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Saginaw Bascule Railroad Bridge

CSX Saginaw River Bridge

Saginaw Bascule Railroad Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber

Bridge Documented: Summer 2007

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Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Railroad (CSX) Over Saginaw River
Location
Saginaw: Saginaw County, Michigan: United States
Structure Type
Metal 8 Panel Rivet-Connected Warren Through Truss, Movable: Single Leaf Bascule (Abt) and Approach Spans: Metal 5 Panel Rivet-Connected Pratt Through Truss, Fixed
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1944 By Builder/Contractor: American Bridge Company of New York, New York
Rehabilitation Date
Not Available or Not Applicable
Main Span Length
160.0 Feet (48.8 Meters)
Structure Length
700.0 Feet (213.4 Meters)
Roadway Width
15 Feet (4.57 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s) and 5 Approach Span(s)
Inventory Number
Not Applicable

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
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Bridge Documentation

American Bridge Company Advertisement

The west end of this bridge has one deck plate girder and three through truss approach spans. Going eastward, each truss approach span is a little larger than the next. The first two approach trusses are four panels, although the second one is a bit longer. The third, westernmost, of the approach spans has five panels. There are no approaches to the main bascule span at the eastern end. All the approach truss spans are riveted connection Pratt truss spans. This bridge was built in 1944 by the American Bridge Company and is a good example of the transition from v-laced and latticed built-up beams to a more plain built-up box beam that feature only punched holes. The approach spans do have v-lacing and lattice on the members and bracing however, while the bascule span has the punched hole box beams. The bascule span still has the v-lacing on the bracing however. The bascule span is an eight panel riveted connection through truss. The mechanics of the bascule span are very much like the Port Huron Railroad Bridge. The Port Huron Bridge is, like this Saginaw Bridge, inoperative. Unlike the Saginaw Railroad Bridge, the Port Huron example is always in the raised position. By comparing the two bridges you can see how the unusual counterweight swings between two positions as the bridge raises or lowers. The Port Huron bridge is an earlier example, with a 1931 construction date.

An advertisement for the American Bridge Company featured an Abt type bascule bridge built in Beaumont, Texas, similar in design to the Saginaw Bascule Bridge. However, the bridge in Beaumont Texas has been demolished. The Saginaw Bascule bridge is one of the few remaining examples of this bridge type in the country.

Above: View of the bridge from the river on August 15, 2020. Photo Credit: Don Glover

 

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Photo Galleries and Videos: Saginaw Bascule Railroad Bridge

 

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Structure Details

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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Structure Overview

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas of the bridge. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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View Photo Gallery

Structure Details

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of detail photos that document the parts, construction, and condition of the bridge. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

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Maps and Links: Saginaw Bascule Railroad Bridge

Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):

Search For Additional Bridge Listings:

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

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HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

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