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CONRAIL over EDSEL FORD SERVICE DR

Wayne County, Michigan

Map 

Coordinates:
+42.35469, -83.08449
42°21'17" N, 83°05'04" W
Source: National Bridge Inventory (1992, 2000, 2010 editions)
Information not verified. Use at your own risk.

Facts 

Name:CONRAIL over EDSEL FORD SERVICE DR
Structure number:824180800667X02
Location:E OF FOURTEENTH
Purpose:Carries railroad over highway
Route classification:Local (Urban) [19]
Length of largest span:51.8 ft. [15.8 m]
Total length:108.9 ft. [33.2 m]
Year built:1917
Main span material:Steel [3]
Main span design:Girder and floorbeam system [03]

2010 Inspection 

Average daily traffic:3,485 [as of 1975]

2000 Inspection 

Average daily traffic:3,485 [as of 1975]
Evaluation:Not applicable [N]

1992 Inspection 

Average daily traffic:3,485 [as of 1975]
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Comments 

CONRAIL over EDSEL FORD SERVICE DR (Wayne County, Michigan)
Posted July 1, 2011, by Peter Dudley (APeterDudley [at] comcast [dot] net)

The CORRECT coordinates for this bridge are:

42.353549,-83.087018

The given (incorrect) position was for a railroad bridge over the Ford Freeway proper, just east of Twelfth Street. It was built during the early 1950s (when the freeway was built). The ten-track railroad yard carried by this bridge crossed Edsel Ford Service Drive at grade. NOT overhead. The yard extended southward through what is now a parking lot for school busses. The stub-ended yard may have extended as far south as Warren Avenue, but Putnam Avenue is more than likely as far south as it ever went.

Years after the railroad yard was abandoned, the massive bridge girders were removed. The concrete abutments on both sides of the freeway were left in place - some of the light fixtures that once illuminated the underpass are still there, but might not still work.