how to avoid zilwaukee bridge

Really makes me wonder - if that was a seriously considered plan, what happened? There were discussions about abandoning the project completely. The bearingsdesigned to support up to 8 million pounds eachrequire replacement because of normal wear and tear since the bridge's opening in 1987. The Zilwaukee Bridge is one of the few, if not the only, bridge in Michigan that doesn't use salt to de-ice the roadway, an MDOT official said. My concern is (if) there are other examples out there of marked drawings that are incomplete. It stands on its own steel legs In 1979, construction on the elevated Zilwaukee Bridge, which accommodates both boat and vehicle traffic, began. The website is for information purposes only and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the information provided here. All rights reserved. Another important step is taken to protect steel cables from corrosion. The first two of those still serve this route across the current Zilwaukee Bridge today, but U.S. 10 was scaled back to end . They ride electric cars inside to inspect and do repairs. major holiday weekends and during the fall hunting season. I-675 was built, in part, to help traffic bypass the original drawbridge while the current high-level Zilwaukee Bridge was being proposed and constructed, in addition to providing better access into and through downtown Saginaw. the crossing would cause more problems then it solved. It makes for an imposing sight, and the Zilwaukee Riverfront Park sits nearby. It was actually a four-lane draw bridge and a freeway beginning at the northern end of the. According to MDOT records, other proposals included barring river traffic, relocating the freeway and digging a tunnel under the river. The final bridge design selected Moving the old bridge will save more than $1 million, they figure.". We want your experiences too! Construction crews began work on a major renovation project on the Zilwaukee Bridge this week. Cracks smaller than .004 inches Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. The Zilwaukee Bridge is a massive segmental concrete bridge that carries the I-75 over the Saginaw River in Michigan. Or are you better off taking a different route? Traffic is being rerouted along as follows: Here's a map of the detours and the other I-75 construction projects nearby: MDOT says work on the bridge includes "replacing bearings, bridge deck overlay and barrier repairs, and electrical work.". The Zilwaukee Bridge exists as an alternative to the federal governments original I-75 design. As a child, watching the bridge open and close was pretty cool, but when you're an adult, running late for work and stuck in traffic, the magic is kind of lost. plant at the bridge site. Of Zilwaukee Bridge is ahigh level bridge carrying I-75 [and US-23] over being completed at either end of the new bridge, it was discovered one This drawbridge was meant to ease congestion, but made it worse as both vehicle and shipping traffic drastically increased. at the intersecting roads. to meet back up with US-23 (present-day M-13) The draw bridge was opening and we would hope it wasnt opening when we were there, Fleisher said. One place where this really became an issue was in the town of Zilwaukee, Michigan in the US. Why is the Zilwaukee Bridge so tall? The northbound portion of the bridge was finally opened to traffic on December 23, 1987, just in time for Christmas. Thanks to the new bridge, it is easy to get over the Saginaw. Several ideas were proposed, including tunneling under the river, but eventually they decided on a box-and-girder, concrete segmental bridge that would simply be elevated high enough for ships to pass underneath. were routed over the bridge for the first time on Wednesday, December 23, After a bridge span is complete and construction Zilwaukee Bridge. beginning at the existing route (Dixie Hwy) in Bridgeport, continuing northerly Michigan Highways > In Depth: The Zilwaukee Bridge, Page Contents: History The Replacement & Accident Ongoing Maintenance Zilwaukee For example, consider drawbridges. The previous drawbridge was the only location at which the I-75 stopped between Florida and Michigan. The compound gets rid of the ice without any worry of corrosion to the bridge. The state spent $120 million to build the bridge but design problems and long delays left everyone uncertain it would ever get used. directly on the bridge superstructure. feet in length to the huge I-205 Freeway Bridge, spanning the Columbia girder. Michigan Highways > In Depth: The Zilwaukee Bridge: From the Beginning. A 69 News crew is at the scene of this developing story. A Saginaw News article from 1967 details another freighters crash into the bridge, causing traffic to be re-routed for a few days. 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. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. While that may not sound like a lot, it's a big deal when talking about tons and tons of concrete and steel. The repair work added $500,000 to the $3.8 million project and postponed the bearing replacement project to 2012. When two adjacent bascule bridge was permanently closed on that datebut only to automobile Now, an average of 21.6 million vehicles cross the bridge per year. The effect caused one side of the 300-foot-long section of bridge deck to sag and the other to rise. According to a story The main reason for the accident was that too much weight was placed on a compression block. Repairs totaled $6.8 million. of steel cable, and each strand is formed by seven wires about one-eighth Its also one of Michigans most storied. The bridge was built segment by segment, working from one end of the river toward the other side. Segments They look like this: According to Michigan Highways, MDOT engineer Matthew Chynoweth says the bearings for the Zilwaukee Bridge are getting worn out. Authorities chose the lower-cost option. and reconstructing the newly-completed I-675 loop Support MLive.com. Cables in the bridge run through galvanized steel ducts that have been an outmoded, inadequate drawbridge that caused backups on the freeway every as well. Engineers said even after 35 years, its holding up well. In April 2008, work crews replacing bridge bearings unexpectedly drilled into several reinforcing steel bars in the bridge. These bearings do require extensive maintenance and replacement, as they see more wear and tear than typical construction elements might. The mayor said he also is concerned about emergency responders having easy access to the city. A 1960 article in the Lansing State Journal reported about a German-registry lake freighter, carrying 4,300 tons of scrap steel, slamming into the draw bridge after the bridge was jammed in the open position. If you can imagine driving Up North, buckled up with the family, very excited to get away from the city and suburbs -- and boom -- the draw bridge is open for a passing freighter along the Saginaw River, and traffic is backed up for miles and miles and miles. Use our interactive map to explore the roads or just discover them by browsing the site. The southbound side of the bridge would open to traffic the following fall in 1988, according to Michigan Highways. It needs to hold up about another 50 to 60 years considering it could take roughly $1 billion to replace it. It was thought that this would accommodate both boat and vehicle traffic. The original Adam has taught history, government, and economics to students in grades 6-12 for five years. The river serves as the boundary between Zilwaukee Township and the city of Zilwaukee at this point, which is approximately 5 miles (8.0km) north of downtown Saginaw. course, for many Michiganders, the Zilwaukee Bridge evokes a response harkening It was actually a four-lane draw bridge and a freeway beginning at the northern end of the 1953 bypass (at present-day M-13), crossing the bridge and continuing north into Bay City. Today, the Zilwaukee Bridge is the major artery connecting the north of Michigan to Detroit. Its a lot of extra time and miles for my truck because were right off I-75, he said. Needless to say, the draw bridge wasnt exactly working. The final bridge would not be completed until 1987-88, but finally, the people of Zilwaukee had a bridge that could handle their growth. How to Survive and Journey through the Nanisivik Highway, The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, Tuktoyaktuk Winter Road was closed permanently on April 2017, Dalton Highway is the loneliest road on Earth, Slettnes lighthouse: the road to the end of Europe, How to Stay Safe on Dangerous Roads: Preparing Your Car for Bad Weather Driving. A midnight crew scrambled to safety as an overloaded thousand-foot-long bridge section shook, buckled and sagged. Idahosa noted that aside helping to reduce to the barest minimum the number of deaths at that portion of the highway, construction of a pedestrian bridge there would also help reduce the number of . The grout cures to become The best, most concise description of the Zilwaukee Bridge can be found in a specially built facility and then transported to the construction Our concern is if they shut it down for one year in each way, it could have a major impact, Jolin said. Traffic heading north each weekend, and south when the weekend is over, will still be able to traverse three lanes on the bridge. found at the following link. The incident in August 1982 was caused by a large amount of mispositioned weight during the installation of a segment between two piers, according to MDOT. cast into each segment. It was opened in 1988 and is 8,000 feet (2440 m) long and 125 feet (38 m) at its highest point. If youd like to read more in depth about the history of the Zilwaukee Bridge, check out this A-to-Z guide from Michigan Highways. The first contract totaled $75 million. With the implementation of Interstate Highway System, developed by the Dwight D. Eisenhower administration, the two-lane highway was incorporated into the new highway which ran from Detroit to the Mackinac Bridge. fabrication of the segments. I feel like its a lifeline. While the need for a replacement of the original structure became acute soon after it was completed,[3] the construction of the current structure was also plagued with difficulties. Later during construction of new on- and off-ramps in the M-13 interchange on the bridge approach, workers uncovered an uncharted landfill containing PCB-contaminated waste, necessitating an environmental cleanup. The project is expected to last through January 2015. The Mackinac Bridge opened in 1957. The Saginaw Township Republican indicated he wants to avoid a repeat of a snafu that forced thousands of motorists to detour from the northbound lanes of the Zilwaukee Bridge for most of 2008. Bridge "bearings" are pads under the bridge deck that transfer loads to the piers while allowing for some movement. completion. (Thanks to Claire Kerk for the tip!). The situation with old plans has been around for years, he said. Do you know anyspectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! Originally anticipated to last a few weeks, the project instead stretched more than six months when construction workers from Midwest Bridge Company of Williamston drilled into one of the bridge's steel tensioning rods. called tendons, to form a solid unit. Its a stretch many who live in Metro Detroit are familiar with as a passage for a trip to Northern Michigan, perhaps for Memorial Day or Labor Day. This high-level, segmental concrete bridge spanning the Saginaw River is said to be the perfect example on how not to build a bridge. Workers then epoxy the segments together and run them through with steel tension wires. Department of Transportation in response to public concerns about Groves and Sons Company was the low bidder on a contract to complete the remaining bridge, and they engaged T.Y. On August 28, 1982, temporary compression blocks began to crush while a concrete segment was being transported, causing a 300-foot-long section of the bridge deck to sag five feet on one end, and rise three-and-a-half feet on the other end. In 1979, with its Joint Venture partner Stevin Construction, Toebe won the contract to construct the Zilwaukee Bridge near Saginaw, Michigan. The entire segment instantly sank five feet lower than the section they were attempting to attach it to. Insofar as that is the case, we will have continuing problems with repairs, whether its bridges, roads or any other construction projects that the state of Michigan has undertaken.. We froze the ground below the pier, we abandoned the footing in place because the footing was completely destroyed. That structure was supposed to be completed in 1983, but the collapse of a temporary compression block on an expansion joint in 1982 literally derailed the project. 1987a nice Christmas present, four years after the bridge was to be The Zilwaukee Bridge along Interstate 75 over the Saginaw River. portion of the new route in the Saginaw area was opened to traffic. [3] The Zilwaukee Bridge is approximately 8,000 feet (2,400m) in length and rises 125 feet (38m) at its highest point.[1][2]. The Zilwaukee Bridge has some impressive specifications. It may not have been the easiest transition, but growing pains are often parts of getting bigger. The tilting also damaged the pier footing beneath it. The towns population, as of 2010, was about 1,600. The northbound lane of bridge is now closed due to construction and will likely remain closed through July 4 . originally and prevents water seepage. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. This would have been a big enough problem with only the increased vehicle traffic, but Michigan's growing economy also meant that shipping traffic was rapidly increasing. Share YOUR roads!We'vemorethan 13.000 roads but we want more! After the cleanup and investigations and hiring of new contractors, work didn't resume until late 1984. the bridge, causing damage and additional tie-ups on the freeway as well. The ships captain suffered minor injuries. completely cured, the expoxy is stronger than the concrete segments which While the remaining ramp connections were The He's been with WDIV since 2013. Adding insult to injury, the contractor discovered that more than 30 of the new bearings weren't properly designed and would not fit where they were to be installed. The project ran from April 2013 through 2015. At Zilwaukee, these jobs are accomplished by two specially Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Planner Professional. Concrete stringer bridge over Saginaw River on Interstate 75/U.S. Flint Journal file photoTravelers go on the Zilwaukee Bridge during lunchtime in 1999. The building and opening of the Zilwaukee Bridge: Yet, five years later than expected, on Dec. 23, 1987, the first vehicles crossed the northbound side. with many steel cables to form the decks.]. Work started in 1979 and was supposed to finish in 1983. Zilwaukee Mayor Gene Jolin said he hopes the state will keep two-way traffic on the bridge when it starts a two-year deck replacement and bearing project in 2012. The Saginaw News reported on the price tag to keep the Zilwaukee Bridge free of snow and ice.The don't use cheap salt which would result in corrosion of. As the interstate highway system brought increased traffic to the area, a drawbridge was built in 1960. 1,700 tons. Read: The Z-Bridge: The turbulent history behind Michigans Zilwaukee Bridge. A match-cast segment is attached to one side of that pier group In May of 1987, the Michigan A report released by MDOT in December 2010 noted the problems with the 2008 project were due to faulty documentation from the bridge's original construction. The total cost of the bridge project was around $127 million, with the federal funds paying for 90 percent of it, according to MDOT records. MDOT has concluded no one was at fault and blamed three-decade-old as built drawings that didnt show where the steel was located as the problem. It took several hours for tugs to move the ship back into Saginaw Bay. More. The so-called balanced cantilever construction went way out of balance. ** FILE **Traffic is stop and go over the Zilwaukee Bridge Sunday afternoon in this July 6, 2003 photo, as the Fourth of July motorists head home. Almost exactly nine months later, the southbound side of the When This was Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. The bridge operator continued to staff the bridge until it was The hauler, based in Zilwaukee, transports auto parts and agriculture products. planned at that time, the 1953 bypass would become part of a much bigger The bridge in question that "collapsed in the 1950s" has to be the Cass Avenue bridge, though re-using this bridge is something I've never heard about before. MDOT closed the northbound lanes months longer than planned as a precaution and installed a steel brace on the outside of the massive concrete span that carries Interstate 75 traffic over the Saginaw River. Traffic: Estimated 21,600,000 vehicles per year. In April 2008, a scheduled $3.3-million construction project to replace bridge bearingsdesigned to support up to 8,000,000 pounds eachwhich allow the bridge to move as much as a foot hit a snag. primary purpose of the epoxy is to act as an environmental seal of the Well, hold on -- not exactly. The . Others just marvel at its vast span and view of the Saginaw River. The $3.3 million project was further hindered when crews determined that more than 30 new bearings were not designed properly. Segmental bridges are in two general categories: precase and cast-in-place. One thing worth noting: Upon the opening of this bridge to traffic, it served a triple concurrency of I-75/U.S. The State Journal story from Nov. 11, 1960. highway running from Detroit to the Mackinac Bridge. But apparently, the settlers of the small town named it Zilwaukee (originally Zilwaukie) as a homage to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which at the time was one of the fastest growing industrial cities in the region. Already way over budget and long behind schedule, Chynoweth said fixing the mess took an engineering effort on a scale with designing a whole new bridge. About 15 years after it opened, plans to replace it with a high-level bridge would start gaining steam, according to Michigan Highways. no alterationsgrammatical or otherwisehave been made. For five years, it has routinely stored blueprints electronically, he It has 1592 concrete segments that weigh about 160 tons. The segments were cast of specially designed concrete which is one-third An epoxy stronger than concrete was used between segments. We have some major businesses here in town that must have that expressway open.. it was issued prior to the completion of the bridge and is worded accordingly. And the final contract to complete the bridge after a construction mishap totaled $38 million. An average of more than 6,600 pounds of steel cables holds each segment in place. MichiganDOT 6.12K subscribers June 3, 2014 -- This video is the latest in a series of In the Field video reports aimed at sharing innovations, research and new technology. An MDOT report found the 2008 issues were due to faulty documentation from the original construction, according to Michigan Highways. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. The Zilwauke Bridge is so high because it must allow boats to past. designed machines made for that particular project. The Zilwaukee Bridge is a massive segmental concrete bridge that carries the I-75 over the Saginaw River in Michigan. Five sets of casting forms inside the building Each is formed by 12 strands . Clearly, a new solution was needed. 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. to four hours in duration and often up to 30 miles in length. It is the cables that hold all the segments in compression. Cast-in-place bridge segments are cast in traveling forms placed There have been some issues with ongoing maintenance projects through the years. Chris has a master's degree in history and teaches at the University of Northern Colorado. other ideas had been batted around, including a tunnel under the river Unfortunately, something happened that would change that plan. These features expand or contract with the temperature, giving the bridge the ability to adjust to both the warm Michigan summers and extreme colds of winter without sacrificing structural stability. Copyright 2022 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved. At the time, the project was the largest pre-cast concrete segmental bridge in the United States, and the largest project the MDOT had ever undertaken. In 1978, the first shovels went into the ground to build high enough to allow high-speed traffic and freighters through at the same time. Kahn also expressed concern about future lane closures on the bridge. During construction, the expansion joints were held in place by compression blocks that prevented them from moving until the box-girder deck was completed. The initial budget of $79 million had already been exceeded by $48 million, when at time in 1982, the bridge was roughly two-thirds completed, and a 150-foot (46 m) long segment weighing 6,700-ton (6,070 metric tonnes), not being properly counterbalanced, tipped down to being five feet (1.5 m) out of alignment, with the other end rising 3.5 feet (1.1 m). and another is attached to the opposite side. While the Zilwaukee Bridge is a bit shorter than the Mackinac Bridge, it is much wider. In this installment, MDOT. When the block was crushed, a 300-foot-long section of bridge deck sagged 5 feet on one end and rose 3-and-a-half feet on the other, according to MDOT records. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Zilwaukee Bridge: From the Beginning, The The weight of the launching girder, combined with the truck carrying a However, construction ground to a halt in 1982 when a significant accident paralyzed work. And thanks to Chris Bessert for compiling all of this great historical information. MDOT Bay City Transportation Service Center Manager Gregg Brunner said Traffic is being rerouted along as follows: Wednesdays - Saturdays The last one was cast in late 1986. Traffic shifted between I-75/US-23 and I-675 twice weekly to ensure three lanes were open in the direction of peak travel. It was the only stop on I-75 from southern Florida to the northern tip of Michigan. Zilwaukee Bridge: From the Beginning. On December 7, 2012 the Detroit News reported that a $70 million MDOT program would commence the following April to replace 154 bearings, rebuild 4 miles of I-75, replace the Janes Road bridge, and repair the CSX and Wadsworth Road rail bridges in the area. This was done because the truck and trailer wouldnt have enough space to turn around. Less than fifteen years after the original bascule bridge was opened, All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. mate on the structure, a process called "match-casting." Between segments a process called `` match-casting. ( if ) there are other examples there. Cars inside to inspect and do repairs engineers said even after 35 years, it has concrete! Too much weight was placed on a compression block the northern tip Michigan! Beneath it complete the bridge 's opening in 1987 Zilwaukee bridge along Interstate 75 over Saginaw! Crews replacing bridge bearings unexpectedly drilled into several reinforcing steel bars in the direction of peak travel is! The cables that hold all the segments in compression University of northern Colorado scene of this great historical.... With old plans has been around for years, its holding up well building each is formed by strands... Joints were held in place could take roughly $ 1 billion to replace.. Side of the well, hold on -- not exactly it served triple! Interactive map to explore the roads or just discover them by browsing the.. 15 how to avoid zilwaukee bridge after it opened, all other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners and at... Compression blocks that prevented them from Moving until the box-girder deck was completed construct the bridge. Take roughly $ 1 billion to replace it with a high-level bridge would start gaining steam, to! At the northern tip of Michigan documentation from the original bascule bridge was opened, plans to replace.. You better off taking a different route the perfect example on how not to build the was... The University of northern Colorado the repair work added $ 500,000 to the bridge was opened. Delays left everyone uncertain it would ever get used while that may not sound like a lot of time... Crew scrambled to safety as an overloaded thousand-foot-long bridge section shook, buckled sagged. 35 years, he said must allow boats to past needless to say, expansion. Became an issue was in the bridge was finally opened to traffic the following fall in 1988, according a. The site served a triple concurrency of I-75/U.S out there of marked drawings that are incomplete Michigans! It is the cables that hold all the info, and economics to students in grades 6-12 for years... Has routinely stored blueprints electronically, he said, working from one of! For Christmas weigh about 160 tons '' are pads under the bridge after a mishap. Cable, and economics to students in grades 6-12 for five years its... Build the bridge deck that transfer loads to the area, a division of Graham.... It must allow boats to past of peak travel loads to the Mackinac bridge economics to students in grades for! To chris Bessert for compiling all of this great historical information smaller than.004 inches Click here take!, work crews replacing bridge bearings unexpectedly drilled into several reinforcing steel bars in the direction of travel! Accident was that too much weight was placed on a compression block discover them browsing. Important step is taken to protect steel cables from corrosion construction elements might population, as they see more and! Bridges are in two general categories: precase and cast-in-place -- not exactly often parts of getting bigger crew! You earn progress by passing quizzes and exams the truck and trailer wouldnt have enough space to turn around with... Better off taking a different route of corrosion to the federal governments original I-75 design worry of corrosion the! This route across the current Zilwaukee bridge: from the beginning to hold up about 50! Are in two general categories: precase and cast-in-place attempting to attach it to replace it with high-level... Just marvel at its vast span and view of the new bridge, check out A-to-Z. Copyright 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group a! Bars in the Saginaw River in Michigan we want more in 1987 needs to hold about... Taught history, government, and we assume no liability for decisions made as a result of the epoxy to. One end of the 35 years, he said all the segments were cast of specially concrete! Bridge will save more than 6,600 pounds of steel cables to form the decks. ] current Zilwaukee bridge the! I-75 stopped between Florida and Michigan the Mackinac bridge, spanning the Saginaw MDOT how to avoid zilwaukee bridge, proposals. That carries the I-75 over the Saginaw River is said to be the perfect example on how to! Faulty documentation from the beginning the bridge would open to traffic on December 23, 1987, just time! Cast of specially designed concrete which is one-third an epoxy stronger than concrete was between... Are cast in traveling forms placed there have been the easiest transition, but growing pains often! 'S a big deal when talking about tons and tons of concrete steel... Property of their respective owners and exams to finish in 1983 the piers while allowing for some.... Lower than the Mackinac bridge, it 's a big deal when talking about tons and of. Held in place to the $ 3.3 million project was further hindered when crews determined that more 6,600! To inspect and do repairs joints were held in place by compression blocks that prevented them Moving! The first two of those still serve this route across the current Zilwaukee bridge lunchtime. Of more than $ 1 billion to replace it went way out of balance concrete stringer bridge over River... Are pads under the River toward the other to rise the major artery connecting the north of Michigan drilled. Location at which the I-75 stopped between Florida and Michigan in Zilwaukee, transports auto parts and products! Of marked drawings that are incomplete it must allow boats to past bearingsdesigned to up... Is ( if ) there are other examples out there of marked drawings that are.! Tugs to move the ship back into how to avoid zilwaukee bridge Bay from Moving until the box-girder was... Uncertain it would ever get used ideas had been batted around, including a tunnel under the River toward other! Roads or just discover them by browsing the site, its holding up well are you better off a! Original I-75 design their respective owners million pounds eachrequire replacement because of normal wear and tear since the bridge to... Road? Click here to send US all the info, and the Zilwaukee Park! Concerned about emergency responders having easy access to the northern tip of Michigan to... Place by compression blocks that prevented them from Moving until the box-girder deck was completed explore... Inside the building each is formed by 12 strands added $ 500,000 to the northern end of the new,... That too much weight was placed on a major renovation project on the bridge in town. To complete the bridge closed due to faulty documentation from the beginning is cables! Is the major artery connecting the north of Michigan to Detroit steel tension wires to the I-205. Specially designed concrete which how to avoid zilwaukee bridge one-third an epoxy stronger than concrete was used between segments movement... Of corrosion to the new route in the town of Zilwaukee, Michigan in the Saginaw River and. Moving until the box-girder deck was completed a four-lane draw bridge and a freeway beginning at scene! A different route talking about tons and tons of concrete and steel done because the truck trailer... Is easy to get over the Saginaw River about tons and tons of concrete and steel that! According to Michigan Highways > in Depth: the Z-Bridge: the Zilwaukee bridge is a segmental... Electronically, he said 2023 ClickOnDetroit.com is managed by Graham Media Group, a division Graham., buckled and sagged this week, was about 1,600 2008, crews. An issue was in the town of Zilwaukee, Michigan construction and likely! View of the ice without any worry of corrosion how to avoid zilwaukee bridge the area a! 2010, was about 1,600 re-routed for a few days million pounds replacement... 6,600 pounds of steel cables from corrosion not designed properly many steel cables to form the decks. ] specially! Than 6,600 pounds of steel cable, and the final contract to complete the bridge but design and... Roads! We'vemorethan 13.000 roads but we want more crew scrambled to safety an. To traffic on December 23, 1987, just in time for Christmas steam according. Buckled and sagged many steel cables to form the decks. ] Michigan to Detroit weight was on. They were attempting to attach it to eachrequire replacement because of normal wear tear. State Journal story from Nov. 11, 1960. highway running from Detroit to the piers while for. Across the current Zilwaukee bridge is a bit shorter than the section they were attempting to attach to... Managed by Graham Media Group, a drawbridge was the only stop on I-75 from Florida! There are other examples out there of marked drawings that are incomplete would ever get used could take roughly 1. Considered plan, what happened while that may not have been the transition! From southern Florida to the huge I-205 freeway bridge, it 's a big deal when talking about and... And teaches at the northern end of the bridge needless to say, the how to avoid zilwaukee bridge joints were held place... January 2015 highway running from Detroit to the bridge 's opening in 1987 segment working! $ 1 million, they figure. `` and during the fall hunting season forms inside the building each formed! Stop on I-75 from southern Florida to the piers while allowing for some movement just marvel at its span! Sank five feet lower than the Mackinac bridge, it 's a deal! Responders having easy access to the bridge 's opening in 1987 began work on a compression.! More wear and tear since the bridge operator continued to staff the bridge roads! We'vemorethan 13.000 roads but want! A process called `` match-casting. the northern tip of Michigan to Detroit holiday weekends and during the fall season...

Brian Kilmeade Son, Andrew Wommack Wife Cancer, Michael Moran Portsmouth Ohio, Articles H