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Sixth Street Bridge (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

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Coordinates: 42°58′36″N 85°40′26″W / 42.9767°N 85.674°W / 42.9767; -85.674
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Sixth Street Bridge
Sixth Street Bridge in 2011
Coordinates42°58′36″N 85°40′26″W / 42.9767°N 85.674°W / 42.9767; -85.674
CarriesAutomobiles
CrossesGrand River
Characteristics
Total length536 feet (163 m)
No. of spans4
History
DesignerMassillon Bridge Company
Constructed byMassillon Bridge Company
Construction cost$31,000
Sixth Street Bridge
Sixth Street Bridge (Grand Rapids, Michigan) is located in Michigan
Sixth Street Bridge (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Coordinates42°58′36″N 85°40′26″W / 42.9767°N 85.674°W / 42.9767; -85.674
Built1886
NRHP reference No.76001030[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHPAugust 13, 1976
Designated MSHSJune 18, 1976
Location
Map
References
[2]

The Sixth Street Bridge is a four-span, wrought iron bridge that crosses the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is a Michigan State Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1886, it is the longest and oldest metal truss bridge in Michigan.

History

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West end of bridge, seen in 2012, that was shortened

The Sixth Street Bridge was designed and built in 1886 by the Ohio-based Massillon Bridge Company for $31,000. The westernmost truss was shortened in 1921 when a canal along the river bank was filled in.[2]

The bridge faced demolition in 1975, but was saved through the efforts of concerned citizens. The following year, the bridge was designated a Michigan State Historic Site (MSHS), and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An MSHS informational marker was erected in 1981.[2] The bridge is also listed on MDOT's Historic Bridge Inventory.[3]

In 2009, the bridge was briefly closed to film scenes of Caught in the Crossfire.[4]

The bridge underwent significant renovation in 2012, funded with a $1.8 million federal grant and $472,000 from the Downtown Development Authority.[5]

Design

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Ornamental railings on the bridge

The bridge is 536 feet (163 m) in length, consisting of four parallel cord through Pratt trusses made of wrought iron.[2] The roadway is narrow at 19 feet (5.8 m) wide with two lanes.[2][5] Along each side is a 6-foot wide (1.8 m) sidewalk with ornamental railings. The piers and abutments are masonry and built of local Grand River limestone. The Sixth Street Bridge is the longest and oldest metal truss bridge in Michigan.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Staff. "Sixth Street Bridge". Historic Sites Online. Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  3. ^ Staff. "Sixth St./ Grand River". Michigan's Historic Bridges. Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  4. ^ Odette, Dave (May 26, 2009). "Hollywood on the Grand: Sixth Street Bridge closed for movie scenes starring 50 Cent, Adam Rodriguez and Chris Klein". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  5. ^ a b Reens, Nate (November 15, 2011). "Grand Rapids Sixth Street bridge to get $2.3 million makeover, close for 3 months". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sixth Street Bridge.

Further reading

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  • "Why a Bridge?" (March 22, 1976). The Grand Rapids Press. p.8.
  • "U.S. Names Sixth Street Bridge Historic Site, Eligible for Grants" (Aug. 24, 1976). The Grand Rapids Press. p.1.
  • DeMaagd, Pete (June 3, 1981). "Seeing Red: Sixth Street Bridge All Set for Reopening". The Grand Rapids Press. p.66.
  • Roelofs, Ted (June 6, 1981). "Raspberry-Red Span Wins Crowd Plaudits". The Grand Rapids Press. p.4.
  • Vande Bunte, Matt (March 3, 2012). "Sixth Street Bridge work scheduled, Grand River crossing to close for 3 months." The Grand Rapids Press.
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