Grand Rapids Swing Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Grand Rapids Swing Bridge is a four span Pratt truss railroad swing bridge
in Grand Rapids, Michigan
. It was built in 1902 for the Pere Marquette Railroad as a swing bridge to allow steamboat
s to pass up the Grand River
, but this river traffic was discontinued in 1907. The turntable is rusted shut and currently inoperable. Originally it was built as a double track bridge, but one set of tracks has been removed. The bridge itself is still in use, and carries an Amtrak
train which runs from the Amtrak station
just east of the bridge, as well as CSX freight trains.
In crossing the Grand River, it touches the south end of a small island.
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
. It was built in 1902 for the Pere Marquette Railroad as a swing bridge to allow steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
s to pass up the Grand River
Grand River (Michigan)
The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
, but this river traffic was discontinued in 1907. The turntable is rusted shut and currently inoperable. Originally it was built as a double track bridge, but one set of tracks has been removed. The bridge itself is still in use, and carries an Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
train which runs from the Amtrak station
Grand Rapids (Amtrak station)
The Grand Rapids Amtrak Station is a train station in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States served by Amtrak, the U.S. national railroad passenger system. The station is the terminus of the Pere Marquette line that connects Chicago's Union Station to Grand Rapids...
just east of the bridge, as well as CSX freight trains.
In crossing the Grand River, it touches the south end of a small island.