Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Ypsi Trivia Question of the Day
Tidbit found during research: how many bridges are in the City of Ypsilanti (possible trick question depending on definitions...)? Bonus question: which is the oldest one? Super double extra credit gold star question: concerning the oldest bridge, what was its former name/nickname (4 words including "the").
2 comments :
Here's what I count:
- 6 city streets with bridges over the Huron River (Superior, Leforge, Forest, Cross, Michigan, Spring)
- 1 I-94 bridge over the Huron River
- Prospect bridges over the railroad just north of Michigan Ave
- Michigan Ave bridges over the railroad just inside the city limits
- Grove bridges over I-94
- 2 railroad bridges over the Huron River.
- According to Google Maps, "Ecorse Service Road" bridges the Huron River just south of I-94, at the mouth of Ford Lake. I know something bridges it there, but I somehow thought it was just a bike/walk trail.
So depending on the Ecorse Service Road bridge, I have either 12 or 13. Of course, I also haven't counted the Tridge or any other footbridges that might be around, only those for vehicular traffic.
Your hint about it being a possible trick question made me think of the Tuttle Hill Road bridge over the Huron River, which is now under Ford Lake, but that's not in the city.
I won't hazard a guess at which is oldest.
Current "City" bridges - those that the city must maintain/replace as needed, are these: LeForge, Forest, Cross, Prospect, Spring.
Other bridges within the City limits belong to other jurisdictions (MDOT, railroad, etc.)
Couple of engineering notes: LeForge just got a new deck last year. Prospect needs to actually be raised a couple of inches to be in compliance with either Federal or MDOT or railroad specifications. The Cross Street bridge is in serious trouble. Even though it was replaced in 1984 (I think), the structure is already crumbling. In another year or two, weight restrictions will likely be imposed, and then it will need to be replaced before another 5 years, in all likelihood.
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