Cheboyan Bascule Bridge
About this property
The Cheboygan Bascule Bridge, also known as the State Street Bridge, is a double-leaf bascule bridge in Cheboygan, Michigan, carrying U.S. Highway 23 (State Street) across the Cheboygan River. Built in 1940, it was the last bascule bridge constructed in the state of Michigan prior to the end of World War II. It replaced an aging swing bridge built in 1877. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Prior to the construction of the Cheboygan Bascule Bridge, a wrought-iron swing-span bridge crossed the Cheboygan River at this location. It was built in 1877 and by 1940, had become dangerous due to its age and heavy traffic load. Commissioner of the Michigan State Highway Department G. Donald Kennedy stated that it vibrated noisily and the unloaded end caused the "rusty old structure to bounce up and down on its seat." The Cheboygan Bascule Bridge is heavier and wider than this previous span. The replacement bridge was designed by the state highway department in early 1940; consulting firm Hazelet and Erdal assisted with the bascule span. The contract was awarded to the W. J. Storen Company of Detroit as lowest bidder at $187,511.98. Steel and machinery were provided by the R. C. Mahon Company. Construction was scheduled to begin in May 1940 and finish in late autumn. The bridge was completed at a cost of $206,000 in December 1940, slightly behind schedule, due to the death of the contractor. The bridge was dedicated in a public ceremony on December 7, 1940. The dedication speech was given by G. Donald Kennedy, in which he described the bridge as "an achievement of state-wide significance." This was the final bascule bridge constructed in Michigan before the end of World War II. Other moveable spans planned for Charlevoix, Houghton, and St. Joseph were delayed until after war's end. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 9, 1999. It was eligible due to its preservation and as a mainstream example of bascule bridges in the state. In 2003, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) planned rehabilitation work on the bridge to preserve its historical integrity and maintain safety. The project cost $2.1 million, funded by the Build Michigan II program and TEA-21. Major work commenced in January 2004 and finished in late June. The road surface and sidewalks were replaced and the leaves were balanced. The original railings were replaced with newly fabricated, historically accurate ones and were retrofitted with crash-worthy two-tube railings on the inside. Lighting was changed to match the designs used downtown on a community request. Construction was concentrated in the winter to minimize disruption to marine traffic. As of 2011, the bridge is rated as functionally obsolete, but not structurally deficient.
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Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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Questions about this property
When was Cheboyan Bascule Bridge listed on the National Register?
Cheboyan Bascule Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 9, 1999.
What type of historic resource is Cheboyan Bascule Bridge?
Cheboyan Bascule Bridge is classified as a structure in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Cheboyan Bascule Bridge?
The period of significance for Cheboyan Bascule Bridge is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Cheboyan Bascule Bridge?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Cheboyan Bascule Bridge will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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