“Wow look at those blue arches” someone exclaimed. The Gateway Bridge in Taylor Michigan. A truly stunning sight.
This isn’t just any bridge. It’s the gateway to Detroit a fitting title for a structure so grand. Built in anticipation of Super Bowl XL in 2006 it’s a testament to engineering and design. The Detroit Regional Gateway Advisory Council spearheaded this ambitious project. It was part of a larger $520 million upgrade of 18 miles of I-94.
The Gateway Bridge cost $14 million. That’s a lot of money. It was more expensive than a traditional plate-girder bridge. This caused some controversy. But the unique design was worth the extra cost. Private funds helped cover the difference.
The design? Inspired by a 1987 article about a tied-arch bridge over the Mississippi River. The bridge features twin tied-arch steel spans. Two large blue ovals dominate the design. Smaller ovals surround them. They look like footballs. A tribute to the Super Bowl.
Construction started in May 2004. Traffic continued to use the old bridges. The C A Hull Company built the bridge. Dan’s Excavating handled the demolition. There was a steel delivery delay. This slowed construction. PDM Bridge fabricated the beams. Three coats of blue paint protect the structure. A clear coat prevents fading. It was completed in the fall of 2005.
The bridge is 250 feet long and 75 feet wide. The arches rise 70 feet above I-94 and 87 feet above US 24. The six-lane bridge carries I-94 over eight lanes of US 24. A single-point urban interchange was completed in December 2005. This was a new design for Michigan at the time.
Each span uses roughly 1400000 pounds of steel. The bridge has a 9-inch thick concrete deck. A 1.5-inch microsilica concrete overlay protects the concrete. This overlay was uncommon in Michigan back then. Special lighting illuminates the bridge at night. A beautiful sight to behold.
Wayne County and Detroit pledged $250000 annually for I-94 maintenance. MDOT maintains the bridge itself. In 2007 the bridge won an award from the National Steel Bridge Alliance. A fitting tribute to its innovative design.
So next time you drive across the Gateway Bridge. Remember its story. Remember the vision. The engineering. And the impact this magnificent structure had. A true gateway to the Motor City.