Veterans Memorial Bridge

The Veterans Memorial Bridge is a bascule bridge spanning the Saginaw River with two movable spans that lift upward to allow river traffic to pass beneath. The steel girder structure carries State Highway M-25 and Business Spur I-75 across the waterway.

The bridge was completed in 1957 by the American Bridge Company and was Michigan's first four-lane structure across the Saginaw River at that time. Its construction coincided with the opening of the Mackinac Bridge, marking a major moment in the state's infrastructure expansion.

The bridge becomes the centerpiece of Bay City's annual Fireworks Festival in July, when thousands of fireworks launch from its deck. Locals and visitors gather along the riverbanks and waterfront to watch the display light up the night sky.

The bridge is free to cross for all vehicles and is open to regular traffic without toll charges. Visitors should know that the movable spans lift for river traffic, which can cause temporary traffic pauses during boat passages.

The structure uses curved plate girders in its bascule mechanism, an engineering approach from the mid-20th century that was distinctive to Michigan bridges. This design allowed for efficient load distribution and accommodated river vessels of various sizes passing beneath.

Location: Michigan

Inception: 1957

Official opening: 1957

GPS coordinates: 43.59630,-83.89360

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:23