Drawbridge: Saginaw River Drawbridge, Saginaw, MI - (GTW)

The Grand Trunk Western Saginaw River drawbridge was located just north of the Michigan Central drawbridge in downtown Saginaw. Use of this bridge was discontinued around 1940 and the bridge was removed. 

Notes

After that point, the GTW used MC trackage rights over the MC drawbridge to reach West Saginaw and Bay City via Mershon. They also began using the MC Genesee Avenue station rather than their own on the east side of the river.

Time Line

1910. City aldermen pass a resolution encouraging a joint railway bridge over the river. "Whereas, the GT railroad is preparing to build a new railroad bridge crossing the Saginaw river in this city at about the location of its present bridge, and Whereas the people of this city are interested in the concentration of the passenger railway terminals in this city; therefore Resolved, That the mayor appoint a committee of three to consider the advisability of a joint railway bridge crossing the Saginaw river for the GT and MC railroad companies, looking to the bringing about of union passenger stations and depots in this city." [SAG-1910-0927]

1927. The Saginaw Prospecting Co. stars drilling for oil on the Eddy lease on the west bank of the Saginaw river just north of the GT bridge. Wells went down as far as 1,500 feet. [SAG-1927-0925]

1935. March. An article in the Saginaw News notes that the Grand Trunk railroad bridge is unused. [SAG-1935-0307]

1940. A plat was approved by the Saginaw County board of auditors for the C.K. Eddy estate. The land is composed of property on the west bank of the Saginaw river between the old GT railroad bridge and the Genesee bridge, and extending west to the Michigan Central tracks. The article refers to the railroad bridge as "the old" GT bridge. The property description would also cover the exit of the GT track from the west end of the bridge towards Genesee street. [SAG-1940-0531]

1942. August. Swung open for years, abandoned and almost forgotten, the GT railway bridge at Thompson street is going back into use - as a huge contribution to the scrap harvest. Negotiations for the abandoned bridge have been handled by the war department. A contractor has moved a dredge to the old span and is beginning [removal] operations. [SAG-1942-0806]