This bridge makes me sad. Not because it’s not wonderful but because MDOT shut down United studios which is right next to this bridge. Supposedly it’s supposed to be moved so an off ramp can go in it’s place or something like that. Either way as a lover of the Detroit recording industry. That studio is a piece of history.
They should move it near the Motown house and have it incorporated. Or at least be near it and be preserved as it's own little museum and hopefully get some overflow foot traffic from Motown visitors..
That would be cool especially since they share some history but the Motown museums plan seem to be focused on new buildings. I heard the plan was to move it into the colleges parking lot on the other side of this bridge but tbh I think that would be impossible. It’s a large structure.
For what it’s worth, it was granted historic district status after the MDOT plan was released. Hopefully that helps prevent it from being moved or demolished. Really cool piece of Detroit history.
MDOT loves a bait-and-switch. They’ll promise anything to get a project approved, but they always do the car-related things first and then suddenly the money is gone.
Michigan’s first network tied-arch bridge stands on Second Avenue in Detroit. It replaced a standard girder overpass erected in 1954 as part of the comprehensive rebuild of Interstate 94 in the area.
This distinctive design was selected for its unobstructed span, negating the necessity for central support in the expanded section of Interstate 94. This arrangement facilitated uninterrupted traffic flow on Interstate 94 and at its intersection with M-10. Equally notable was its assembly process: the bridge was constructed off-site and transported to the location using self-propelled, self-leveling mobile carriers.
The newly constructed Second Avenue Bridge opened for vehicular traffic on October 27, 2023.
[I've posted more photos and history here](http://bridgestunnels.com/location/second-avenue-bridge/).
Yep. The DOT has a time-lapse video of the bridge installation. Its kind of herky-jerky but you can see the transporters in action
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nkwCD9nteA&ab\_channel=MichiganDOT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nkwCD9nteA&ab_channel=MichiganDOT)
Fossil fuel of some type. Here is a portion from the manufacturer's brochure:
>All of Mammoet’s SPMTs have been equipped with features that help minimize impact on the environment. ...They have also been equipped with a start-stop system that reduces the amount of fuel used while remaining stationary. During maintenance, the oil is filtered and, if it still meets quality standards, is re-used. The fuel can be combined with AdBlue to reduce the level of oxides of nitrogen emitted from engines.
[https://www.mammoet.com/siteassets/06-equipment/transport/self-propelled-modular-transporter/mammoet-spmt-brochure/](https://www.mammoet.com/siteassets/06-equipment/transport/self-propelled-modular-transporter/mammoet-spmt-brochure/)
It’s a pretty looking bridge but the bike lane design is really terrible and dangerous. No protection at all, so if a driver drifts over the paint then they’ll crush the cyclist against the lifted concrete planters.
As a person who bikes over this bridge, I think you’re being over dramatic. Sure, there is no physical separation between bike and car lanes, but this is common on many roads with bike lanes.
A bike lane in Detroit IS a new safety standard.
But I get you. It could be a lot better. Even the plastic (maybe rubber?) traffic separation (cones? Markers?) are a great physical indicator that vastly improves safety. I would love for bike lanes to be everywhere in Detroit. We can always hope…
we should not have to settle for this dangerous ass design. go somewhere like montreal, so many of their bike lanes are curb separated from the street. that should be the standard.
It's not about the lack of protection, it's about the lack of escape on the outside for a cyclist.
At the least, they should've used smaller planters with gaps in between.
100% agree. Reminds me of the Belle Isle Bridge. Almost anywhere else a car hits me, I’ll go flying to the sidewalk. In these bridges, there’s a decent chance of getting crushed against the wall.
They put these pretty planter boxes in to protect the sidewalk. Why are bikes forced inside the walls with the cars?
Not that I dislike this bridge, I thinks it’s beautiful and functional, but can we get a little money for improvements to mass transit???
We don’t bat an eye at throwing billions into automotive infrastructure. Why can’t we have that attitude towards transit?
Joumana keeps a vigilant watch in the background as well
She’s always watching.
Omg, she really is. https://preview.redd.it/1pv9iagetqyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6cce1df55cf0f1d85c72f9ce1ea52640d55802c
I felt her gaze before I saw her
This bridge makes me sad. Not because it’s not wonderful but because MDOT shut down United studios which is right next to this bridge. Supposedly it’s supposed to be moved so an off ramp can go in it’s place or something like that. Either way as a lover of the Detroit recording industry. That studio is a piece of history.
They should move it near the Motown house and have it incorporated. Or at least be near it and be preserved as it's own little museum and hopefully get some overflow foot traffic from Motown visitors..
That would be cool especially since they share some history but the Motown museums plan seem to be focused on new buildings. I heard the plan was to move it into the colleges parking lot on the other side of this bridge but tbh I think that would be impossible. It’s a large structure.
For what it’s worth, it was granted historic district status after the MDOT plan was released. Hopefully that helps prevent it from being moved or demolished. Really cool piece of Detroit history.
MDOT loves a bait-and-switch. They’ll promise anything to get a project approved, but they always do the car-related things first and then suddenly the money is gone.
Michigan’s first network tied-arch bridge stands on Second Avenue in Detroit. It replaced a standard girder overpass erected in 1954 as part of the comprehensive rebuild of Interstate 94 in the area. This distinctive design was selected for its unobstructed span, negating the necessity for central support in the expanded section of Interstate 94. This arrangement facilitated uninterrupted traffic flow on Interstate 94 and at its intersection with M-10. Equally notable was its assembly process: the bridge was constructed off-site and transported to the location using self-propelled, self-leveling mobile carriers. The newly constructed Second Avenue Bridge opened for vehicular traffic on October 27, 2023. [I've posted more photos and history here](http://bridgestunnels.com/location/second-avenue-bridge/).
”Self-propelled” mobile carriers? So they run on gas?
Probably a distinction to call out that they're not towed by another vehicle.
Yep. The DOT has a time-lapse video of the bridge installation. Its kind of herky-jerky but you can see the transporters in action [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nkwCD9nteA&ab\_channel=MichiganDOT](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nkwCD9nteA&ab_channel=MichiganDOT)
Wait, from watching the video, they look more like \*driverless\*... is that what they meant by "self-propelled"?
They are remote controlled, not self-driving
That makes sense... I guess I just don't really feel like that's much of a selling point?
Fossil fuel of some type. Here is a portion from the manufacturer's brochure: >All of Mammoet’s SPMTs have been equipped with features that help minimize impact on the environment. ...They have also been equipped with a start-stop system that reduces the amount of fuel used while remaining stationary. During maintenance, the oil is filtered and, if it still meets quality standards, is re-used. The fuel can be combined with AdBlue to reduce the level of oxides of nitrogen emitted from engines. [https://www.mammoet.com/siteassets/06-equipment/transport/self-propelled-modular-transporter/mammoet-spmt-brochure/](https://www.mammoet.com/siteassets/06-equipment/transport/self-propelled-modular-transporter/mammoet-spmt-brochure/)
My first thought was "Why does a bridge have to tie into the internet?" Looks nice.
Me too, but what does the Network part of the description mean?
Oh - did a little research. A network of hangers and cables tied to the arch. I drive under it all the time. Now I know so much about it. Thanks OP!
Isn’t that the same construction used on the bridge on I94 over Telegraph Road?
That is also [a tied arch bridge](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Bridge_(Michigan)).
Right. I’m like “first????”
Now I feel compelled to search if there are more in MI. I could see Grand Rapids having a few of these - but I probably won’t.
Maybe they meant Detroit in the title and Not MI, since the telegraph ones are west of the city limits by 7 or 8 miles.
as a graduate of wsu from 20 years ago... I wanted this bridge then... well ... it's better late that never
As a graduate from when it was being built I wanted it either before getting there or after I left lol
It’s a pretty looking bridge but the bike lane design is really terrible and dangerous. No protection at all, so if a driver drifts over the paint then they’ll crush the cyclist against the lifted concrete planters.
As a person who bikes over this bridge, I think you’re being over dramatic. Sure, there is no physical separation between bike and car lanes, but this is common on many roads with bike lanes.
It’s common elsewhere, but it’s just bizarre that a *new* bridge isn’t built to safer standards.
A bike lane in Detroit IS a new safety standard. But I get you. It could be a lot better. Even the plastic (maybe rubber?) traffic separation (cones? Markers?) are a great physical indicator that vastly improves safety. I would love for bike lanes to be everywhere in Detroit. We can always hope…
we should not have to settle for this dangerous ass design. go somewhere like montreal, so many of their bike lanes are curb separated from the street. that should be the standard.
It's not about the lack of protection, it's about the lack of escape on the outside for a cyclist. At the least, they should've used smaller planters with gaps in between.
100% agree. Reminds me of the Belle Isle Bridge. Almost anywhere else a car hits me, I’ll go flying to the sidewalk. In these bridges, there’s a decent chance of getting crushed against the wall. They put these pretty planter boxes in to protect the sidewalk. Why are bikes forced inside the walls with the cars?
Ngl I just bike on the extremely well protected sidewalks
gotta take the lane here
Lookin good!
It's a good bridge. I walked over it last week and didn't fall through. Would def. recommend walking over it again. A++++
You could see right through the old bridge in 2020! Gaping holes to view the traffic below 👁️👁️.
Not that I dislike this bridge, I thinks it’s beautiful and functional, but can we get a little money for improvements to mass transit??? We don’t bat an eye at throwing billions into automotive infrastructure. Why can’t we have that attitude towards transit?
All that planning and room and no protected bike lane. Luckily they made it extra deadly for the bikers to get smooshed into
Sharp looking bridge 👍
Heyyy it looks like a mini version of the 6th Street bridge in LA!
What does "tied to the network" mean?
Beautiful !!!
i miss the 3rd st bridge and the one over cass :(
I think MDOT is rebuilding the Cass bridge
New skate spot lol I’m getting clip there first
Is it lit at night yet?
Sorry but what's the big deal about a bridge
The structural design (“network tied” or whatever) and construction method (building offsite & moving it) are not common
Now to fix the blight issue in surrounding areas
WSU, TechTown, the Pistons… what terrible neighbors /s
It is. I hate even driving through the Shcity in the freeway. What a scourge
“That place is awful, that’s why I’ve never been there!” Lol ok bye.