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This T-shaped bridge consisting of long approach ramps supported by riveted steel bents is extremely rare in Michigan. Such bridges might have been found in greater quanties in other states like Pennsylvania where the unusual topography results in some unusual bridges, but bridges of this sort which have intersections right on the bridge deck are not common in Michigan. The use of riveted steel bents in a highway bridge is also extremely rare in Michigan.
This bridge has been altered. It actually appears the Miller Road portion was once wider, based on visible cuts in the steel bents, and empty sections on the abutments. Also, the steel bents have been extensively supplemented with additional welded bents. The bridge is right next to the famous Ford Rouge factory. Brand new pickup trucks roll off the factory and make a U-turn as they circle around Rotunda Drive and the railroad tracks to a parking lot on the other side of the Rotunda bridge.
Dimensions and span numbers refer to the Miller Road portion of the bridge. See the National Bridge Inventory sheet for data on both bridges.
The bid letting of this project resulted in the original plans of this bridge being available. The plans show the original width of Miller Road being 92.5 feet wide. They also show the original name of Rotunda Drive as Airport Drive. According to Wikipedia, this would refer to Ford Airport in Dearborn, Michigan which was one of the first modern airports in the world. It operated from 1924 to 1947. The site is now part of Ford Motor Company's Dearborn Proving Ground.
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