Zilwaukee Bridge

Zilwaukee Bridge
Approaching the bridge going northbound
Coordinates43°28′56″N 83°54′46″W / 43.48222°N 83.91278°W / 43.48222; -83.91278
Carries8 lanes of I-75 / US 23
CrossesSaginaw River
LocaleZilwaukee and Zilwaukee Township, Michigan
Official nameZilwaukee Bridge
Maintained byMichigan Department of Transportation
ID number73173112000B031 NB
73173112000B032 SB
Preceded byZilwaukee Drawbridge (1960)
Characteristics
DesignSegmental bridge
Total length8,061 ft (2,457.0 m) NB
8,085 ft (2,464.3 m) SB[1]
Width74 ft (22.7 m)[1]
Height125 ft (38 m)[2]
Longest span392 ft (119.5 m)[1]
No. of spans26 NB, 25 SB
Load limitMS 22.5
Clearance below36.5 m (120 ft)[1]
History
Construction startlate 1979[2]
Construction endSeptember 19, 1988[2]
OpenedDecember 23, 1987[2]
Statistics
Daily traffic23,450 vehicles[1]
Location
Map

The Zilwaukee Bridge is a high-level, segmental concrete bridge spanning the Saginaw River in the U.S. state of Michigan. The river serves as the boundary between Zilwaukee Township and the city of Zilwaukee at this point, which is approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) north of downtown Saginaw. It carries Interstate 75 and US 23.

The current eight-lane structure, completed in 1988, is the second such bridge at this location, replacing a four-lane bascule bridge constructed in 1960. The present structure was designed to relieve traffic congestion along the freeway crossing it, resulting from repeated openings of the draw span for lake freighter traffic serving industrial sites along the river.[3] The Zilwaukee Bridge is approximately 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in length and rises 125 feet (38 m) at its highest point.[1][2]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "73173112000b031". National Bridge Inventory. Federal Highway Administration. 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2011.[dead link]
  2. ^ a b c d e Bessert, Christopher J. (January 31, 2009). "In Depth: The Zilwaukee Bridge". Michigan Highways.[self-published source]
  3. ^ Hyde, Charles K. (1993). Historic Highway Bridges of Michigan. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. pp. 166, 172. ISBN 978-0-8143-2448-6.