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

The Pere Marquette drawbridge in Saginaw over the Saginaw River continues in use today, however the bridge is fixed in place and no longer raised for river traffic. The moveable portion of this bridge was is a bascule-type lift bridge.

Photo Info: Top, the CSX Saginaw River drawbridge just west of the Potter Street Station in Saginaw in 1983. The river is now closed to large ships at this location and the bridge is locked in the closed position. [Ron Hagemeister]. 2nd photo, a 1969 view of the drawbridge taken from Mershon Tower on the west side of the river. The wye track off to the right goes to the C&O industrial track along the NYC and GTW in West Saginaw. Note the communication poles along the C&O which appear to have held as many as 60 wires. This would have supported circuits heading west from Saginaw towards Ludington. [Charles Geletzke Jr.]

Notes 

Time Line

1893. July 27. Work is in progresses on the new F&PM $50,000 railroad bridge over the Saginaw River, which, when completed, will be a model of strength and beauty. It supplants the old structure erected 26 years ago (1867), and will have two swings 168 and 143 feet in length, and besides two fixed spans of 119 and 130 feet in length, allowing travel on foot as well as by rail. Trains of the western division at present are running over the Belt Line bridge. [DFP-1893-0727]

1918. As a war measure the PM railway company deems it necessary to restrict the use of its Saginaw river bridge to all pedestrians and, effective at once, no persons will be permitted to use such bridge except the railway company employees whose duties actually require, and then only when in the performance of their duties, and in possession of written order signed by the division engineer. This action is in line with similar action taken by railroad companies all over the country, and guards are put at each entrance to the bridge to see that the new order is enforced. The original 1896 agreement with the City allowed pedestrian use but after 10 years, the railroad could revoke that permission which it is doing. Sidewalks, foot bridge, footpaths, guard railing and fences will be removed. [SAG-1918-0116]

1922. August. The PM proposes to build a new Saginaw River bridge, in place of its existing bridge. The new bridge will be single track, 692 feet long, supported with concrete piers and abutments. The swing span will be 250 feet long to provide for two openings each ninety feet in width. [SAG-1922-0816]

1923. March. Construction on the new bridge will begin immediately according to Frank H. Alfred, president of the road. The improvement contemplated will cost $150,000. The new bridge will be at the same point as the present one and using some of the units of the existing structure. There will be three entirely new spans but the present main draw span will be largely retained but considerably strengthened to carry heavier motive power. There will continue to be one draw at the west end of the bridge. [SAG-1923-0328]

1924. August. A 128-foot span was taken out of the PM bridge and a new one slid into place. A large crowd watching the work which was done with little or no interruption of train service. [SAG-1924-0825]