The Tridge (Midland, Michigan)
The Tridge | |
|---|---|
 The Tridge in downtown Midland | |
| Coordinates | 43°36′40″N 84°14′55″W / 43.611052°N 84.248689°W |
| Carries | Pedestrian and bicycle traffic |
| Crosses | Chippewa River and Tittabawassee River confluence |
| Locale | Midland, Michigan, USA |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Three-way suspended deck arch bridge |
| Material | Wood |
| History | |
| Construction cost | $732,000 |
| Opened | 1981 |
| Location | |
 | |
| External image | |
|---|---|
 Midland River Days poster featuring The Tridge |
The Tridge is the formal name of a three-way wood footbridge above the confluence of the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers near downtown Midland, Michigan, in the Tri-Cities region. When it opened in 1981, "it was the only Tridge in the world" and is now an icon for the city.[1][2] It consists of one 31-foot (9.4 m) tall central pillar supporting three spokes. Each spoke is 180 feet (55 m) long by 8 feet (2.4 m) wide.[1]
History
The bridge was constructed in 1981 at the instigation of the Midland Area Community Foundation (MACF). The bridge cost $732,000 to build, and took 6,400 hours of labor.[3] Ten railroad car loads of prefabricated wood, and 337 cubic yards (258 m3) of concrete were used to construct three arches, which weigh 44,000 pounds (20,000 kg) apiece. Each appendage is 180 by 8 feet (54.9 by 2.4 m).[1][3] Gerace Construction Company worked on the project.[4] As a symbol, the bridge has been popularized and is the subject, for example, of lithographs.[5]
Recreation
The Tridge is a tourist attraction.[6] It and its two surrounding parks—35 acres (14 ha) in Chippewassee and St. Charles parks[7]—are one of most popular leisure areas downtown.[8] The 3.5-mile (5.6 km) Chippewa Nature Trail begins at the bridge.
The site also marks the starting point of the Pere Marquette Rail Trail, a Michigan Rails to Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame trail.[9] Although being mainly a footbridge, bicycles, skateboards, and in-line skates are also allowed on the bridge. It is the focal point for summer evening concerts.[10] Fishing is generally not permitted from the bridge although it does occur frequently.
The Tridge, located beside the Midland farmers market, has become an icon of the city in the past two decades, and is the most famous landmark of the downtown area. Each year, the Tridge mimics the Mackinac Bridge to the north, in hosting a "Labor Day walk". The festive annual event is sponsored by MACF and the Chippewa Nature Center, and led by the mayor of Midland.[11] In addition, St. Charles Park, which surrounds the Tridge, is host to many public and private events. At night the bridge's arches are lit.[10]
During summer evenings, the Tridge is a popular hangout spot for local teens largely because it is near the Downtown area and several popular areas. The Trilogy Skatepark is located just 300 feet (91 m) north of the Tridge in Chippewassee Park. Nearby are Pizza Sam's, a pizza and ice-cream shop, and Espresso Milano, a coffee shop.
The Tridge was closed in November 2011 due to work on the rails-to-trails project, and the construction of a new canoe launch site.[12] It was solemnly reported that: “Despite the construction, Santa Claus will still cross the Tridge into downtown Midland ... for the annual Midland County Courthouse lighting ceremony.”[13]
Gallery
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Tridge is a 3-way bridge -
Tridge - football reflection -
Sine wave reflections -
People on Tridge walkway -
Tridge arch -
Tridge undercarriage -
Tridge span -
Is he fishing? -
Tridge to somewhere -
The Tridge Midland walk -
Midland Tridge clean lines -
People taking a stroll
See also
- Y-Bridge, for other three-legged bridges
- The Tridge, an American political newsmagazine based in Midland, Michigan
References
- ^ a b c Meyer, Zlati (December 4, 2011). "You haven't lived here until ... You trudge over the Tridge". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- ^ "Tridge—the triple bridge". paradoxoffplanet. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- ^ a b Erickson, Chris (December 15, 1999). "The Tridge". Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- ^ "Midland Tridge". Gerace Construction Company. Retrieved December 4 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ LaNoue, Maggie (2011). "The Tridge" (Signed lithograph). Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- ^ "Midland, Michigan—The Tridge—3-Way Bridge". Roadside America. January 26, 2009. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- ^ "Downtown Midland Attractions". Downtown Midland. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- ^ "Midland Parks & Gardens". Worldweb.com. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- ^ "Pere Marquette Rail-Trail". Retrieved December 5, 2011.
- ^ a b Zedaker, Carol (June 21, 2011). "Tunes by the Tridge continues Thursday in Midland". Midland, MI: Booth Mid-Michigan (M-Live.com). Retrieved December 4, 2011.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Labor Day Tridge Walk". Midland Area Community Foundation News. August 24, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
- ^ "Farmers Market leg of the Tridge closed". Midland Daily News. November 9, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
- ^ "Tridge and Rail-Trail Closures Won't Affect Santa" (Press release). November 23, 2011. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
External links
