Location: Port Huron, MI - PM Black River Bascule Bridge

The Pere Marquette Black River railroad bridge was located just north of downtown Port Huron. This was a large bascule bridge controlled by an interlocking tower. Though the railroad is long gone, the bridge continued to exist as a landmark for boaters looking for Port Huron and the nearby docks. The bridge was removed in 2023.

Notes

Comment from Doug Hefty: The Black River Bascule Bridge in downtown Port Huron was not regularly staffed. Around 1970, an operator would drive to the bridge control tower from Saginaw, for the purpose of lowering the bridge for the night train. This gave the train head room to double the inbound train into the yard tracks at Port Huron yard. The C&O later discontinued using the bridge and the crews would set off part of their train at 16th street siding. This made it small enough to double over without using the bridge. 

Comment from T. J. Gaffney: The track from the north end of Port Huron to just south of Crosswell was removed in 1971. After Peacock Lumber on Holland Street burned and the Port Huron Fruit House stopped getting shipments, there was no reason for the C&O to go north beyond the Black River bascule bridge. I have some photos of the track being taken out of Pine Grove Park about 1973-74. I understand that the bridge was still operable (to get extra room for switching the car ferry) as late as 1978, although the last confirmation I have of it moving is 1973.

Time Line

1970. From historian Doug Hefty: The only time I ever operated the Black River drawbridge was in 1970 in order to "qualify" on its operation. Back then, they would sometimes lower the bridge for the inbound train to use as head room doubling into the yard. [DH]