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Ball Road Bridge

Ball Road Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: 2006

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Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Ball Road Over Little Salt Creek
Location
Rural: Midland County, Michigan: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1901 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown
Rehabilitation Date
Not Available or Not Applicable
Main Span Length
41.0 Feet (12.5 Meters)
Structure Length
42.0 Feet (12.8 Meters)
Roadway Width
13 Feet (3.96 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
56307H00002B010

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
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Bridge Documentation

This bridge no longer exists!

View Archived National Bridge Inventory Report - Has Additional Details and Evaluation

This bridge was demolished by the Midland County Drain Commission!

Thanks to the Midland County Drain Commission, the entire state of Michigan now has no bedstead truss bridges. At the time of demolition, sometime after 2006, this was the only surviving example of a bedstead truss bridge in Michigan. Bedstead truss bridges are a very rare type of truss bridge that were built mostly from 1890 to 1915 and were a low-cost alternative to more durable bridge types. The unique design employed a vertical end post that extended below the deck and acted as a support for the bridge. This greatly reduced the size of the abutment needed for the bridge. Abutments are often one of the most costly parts of a bridge, so this represented a significant cost savings. In the long run however, bedstead truss bridges fell out of favor. The legs of the bedstead bridge were susceptible to damage from floods, which could damage them which could in turn cause the whole bridge to collapse.

This bridge was an outstanding example of a bedstead truss bridge. The only noteworthy alteration was the loss of original pipe railings, meaning the bridge had good historic integrity.

The Midland County Drain Commission decided one day to demolish this bridge. They claimed the bridge was a risk due to flood damage. Why this was their call and not the call of the road commission who actually owned the bridge is unclear. The reason they gave for demolition is a poor reason because while bedstead truss bridges were traditionally susceptible to floods, this bridge had survived long enough to prove itself. There was some minor bending of a couple legs, but overall the bridge was in decent shape. At the very least, the Drain Commission should have had the courtesy to notify the State Historic Preservation Office and others involved with historic bridge prior to demolishing this bridge. This is a bridge that could have been saved with a phone call. There were people in Michigan who likely could have saved this bridge had they been aware the Drain Commission wanted rid of it. However, the Drain Commission demolished the bridge secretly without letting anyone know. The tiny size of the bridge would have made the bridge all to easy to relocate and preserve in a new location.

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Photo Galleries and Videos: Ball Road Bridge

 

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Structure Overview

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A collection of overview photos that show the bridge as a whole and general areas 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 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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View Photo Gallery

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: Ball Road Bridge

This historic bridge has been demolished. This map is shown for reference purposes only.

Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):

Search For Additional Bridge Listings:

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

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

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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