MacArthur Bridge

Why did they build streetcar tracks on the MacArthur Bridge, but never use them? We’re standing before the MacArthur Bridge, a grand gateway to Belle Isle Park. This isn’t just any bridge. It’s a symbol of Detroit’s connection to this island retreat, a story spanning over a century. The MacArthur Bridge, completed in 1923, replaced an earlier bridge lost to a fire in 1915. Originally called the George Washington Bridge, it was renamed in 1942 to honor General Douglas MacArthur. The bridge stretches an impressive 2,193 feet across the Detroit River, marked by its distinctive nineteen arches. Now, about those streetcar tracks. They were built into the east side of the bridge, a ghost of a transit plan that never materialized. Imagine streetcars gliding across, offering a scenic route to the island. Instead, the tracks were paved over in the 1950s, a silent testament to a path not taken. This bridge has seen its share of history. In 1913, William Edmund Scripps, of the famous publishing family, piloted a flying boat under the old Belle Isle Bridge, a daring feat of early aviation. Today, the MacArthur Bridge stands as a vital link, a testament to Detroit’s evolving landscape and its enduring love for Belle Isle.