34. Lafayette St. Bridge, MDOT

Donated by: Michigan Department of Transportation, Kraemer North America
Original Location: Bay City, MI
Year Built: 1938
Donated to SBRITE: February, 2025

Structure Type: Movable-Bascule Bridge
Total Bridge Length: 508 ft
Longest Span: 185 ft Bascule Span
Number of Spans: 3
Deck Width: 42.8 ft

The M-13/M-84 corridor bridge over the Saginaw River, otherwise referred to as the Lafayette Street Bridge, is in need of a full replacement. Originally constructed in 1938 (and rehabilitated in 1989) the bridge was programmed for replacement in 2020. The bridge replacement was postponed indefinitely when construction costs far exceeded original replacement estimates. MDOT began analyzing the potential of adjusting the footprint of the bridge or resorting to heavy bridge rehabilitation instead of the full replacement that was needed. In 2023 MDOT was awarded a $73 million federal grant, making the full bridge replacement a reality.