[Tri-Cities Photo of the Day]

LOL, sorry I've been busy lately. Don't worry, more Bay City photos are to come.

Today's P.O.D is of the Zilwaukee Bridge

The Zilwaukee Bridge is a mile and a half, 8 lane span the carries I-75/US-23 over the Saginaw river. The bridge rises 125 feet in height to allow clearance for large shipping vessels. Construction was begun in 1979 to replace a traffic clogged drawbridge which would back up freeway traffic for miles. However, the bridge didn't open for 9 years after a construction accident. The segmented box concrete design, held together by high-tensioned cables was debatable construction at the time, specifically because of difficulties with construction. In August of 1982, compression blocks keeping the expansion joints seperated crushed under pressure, and a large 150 foot section was thrown out of alignment. The forces from the shift crushed one of the support piers causing the deck to break apart and slant downward. Construction was stopped, so that several engineering studies could be done. More problems with the structure were discovered as sections were slightly sinking out of place. However, demolition of the bridge would have amounted in considerable costs and it was decided the bridge would be completed. A few later, construction resumed and the bridge was opened late 1987. Although the bridge continues to experience problems today, they are minor and do not effect its structural integrity.

Photo of construction