Zilwaukee Bridge
The Zilwaukee Bridge is a high-level, segmental concrete bridge spanning the Saginaw River in the U.S. state of Michigan. 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.
Zilwaukee Bridge | |
|---|---|
Approaching the bridge going northbound | |
| Coordinates | 43°28′56″N 83°54′46″W |
| Carries | 8 lanes of I-75 / US 23 |
| Crosses | Saginaw River |
| Locale | Zilwaukee and Zilwaukee Township, Michigan |
| Official name | Zilwaukee Bridge |
| Maintained by | Michigan Department of Transportation |
| ID number | 73173112000B031 NB 73173112000B032 SB |
| Preceded by | Zilwaukee Drawbridge (1960) |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Segmental bridge |
| Total length | 8,061 ft (2,457.0 m) NB 8,085 ft (2,464.3 m) SB |
| Width | 74 ft (22.7 m) |
| Height | 125 ft (38 m) |
| Longest span | 392 ft (119.5 m) |
| No. of spans | 26 NB, 25 SB |
| Load limit | MS 22.5 |
| Clearance below | 36.5 m (120 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction start | late 1979 |
| Construction end | September 19, 1988 |
| Opened | December 23, 1987 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 23,450 vehicles |
| Location | |
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. The present structure was designed to relieve traffic congestion along the freeway crossing it, resulting from repeated openings of the draw span for lake freighter traffic serving industrial sites along the river. The Zilwaukee Bridge is approximately 8,000 feet (2,400 m) in length and rises 125 feet (38 m) at its highest point.