Drawbridges: Saginaw, MI - PM Previous Drawbridges

The first crossing of the Saginaw River by the Flint & Pere Marquette was built in 1867. It was made to handle 30-ton locomotives.

In 1893, the superstructure of the bridge was rebuilt on the original foundations, substituting steel for wood trestles and improving the bridge for Cooper's E-30 loading.

In 1924, three fixed, steel trusses, designed for E-50 loading replaced two 1893 fixed spans. This allowed Mikado locomotives rated for E-58. Trains were restricted to 6 mph because foundations were overloaded. 

In 1943, the railroad built the new (and existing) bridge and contracted with the American Bridge Company and Merrit, Chapman and Scott Corporation as general contractors. The bridge was approved in 1944 by the War Production Board. The new bridge was placed in service on June 10, 1945. [PM45]

Three truss spans, bult in 1924, were utilized on the new bridge. Click here to see the new bridge.

Notes

Time Line