Photos: Bridgeport Bridge

This 104 year old bridge was moved to a temporary work/construction location where it will be restored to serve for another century. Above are some of the areas of the bridge that remain in excellent condition today, a testimony to the quality of construction present in the bridge.

In contrast, these bottom chord connection details, revealing pack rust and section loss show that there is much work to be done in the restoration.

Overview of project work/restoration site prior to moving the second span. Shown is the northeastern span.

Various photos showing the bridge on the ground next to the river.

Views showing the crossing after the spans had been lifted off. The rotation of the southwestern main span pier seemed even more apparent after the bridge was lifted off.

View showing the setup at the end of the bridge which will be pulled to the work site.

A number of bridge-related professionals were present either observing or working during the day including HistoricBridges.org, MDOT, Spicer Group Engineering, and Davis Construction.

Vern Mesler of www.historicbridgerestoration.com was also present and was interviewed by a local television station.

Overview of bridge and construction site. Views showing the crane lowering an i-beam for placement under the top chord to allow for the lifting of the bridge.

Workers bolt the truss onto an i-beam which will rest on a set of wheels to allow the bridge to be pulled to the work site.

Workers make adjustments to the crane attachment for the bridge.

The set of wheels is lowered into place under the bridge.

Views showing the wheels in place under the bridge.

From left to right, a sequence of portal views showing the State Street Bridge being moved down its namesake street to the restoration work site.

From left to right, a sequence of oblique views showing the State Street Bridge being moved down its namesake street to the restoration work site.

An interesting moment during the move was when the historic State Street Bridge crossed one of Michigan's most significant historic routes, the Dixie Highway.

While moving the bridge, workers lift cables and wires to allow the bridge to pass under. Several electrical wires and stop light signals were removed earlier in the morning to facilitate the move. Mere seconds after the bridge passed under, workers moved in to place the stop lights and other wires back into place.

Elevation views showing the southwestern span of the State Street Bridge sitting on State Street, before it was rotated and pulled onto the restoration work site.

Elevation views looking through the northeastern span showing the southwestern span of the State Street Bridge sitting on State Street, before it was rotated and pulled onto the restoration work site.

Repositioning and connecting equipment to prepare to rotate and pull the span into the restoration work site.

From left to right, a sequence of various views showing the State Street Bridge span being rotated and pulled into the restoration work site.

Various views showing the bridges sitting in the restoration work site.