Zilwaukee Bridge

The Zilwaukee Bridge is a highway crossing over the Saginaw River in Zilwaukee, Michigan, stretching roughly 8000 feet with eight lanes of traffic. Its highest point rises about 125 feet above the water, allowing large vessels to pass underneath without obstruction.

Construction began in 1979 to replace an older drawbridge from 1960 that could no longer handle growing traffic demands. Technical difficulties delayed the project significantly, and the crossing did not open to traffic until December 1987.

The structure marks the shift from industrial Saginaw to the forests and lakes of northern Michigan, signaling for many travelers the start of vacation country. Drivers crossing the river often see cargo ships passing beneath, a reminder of the waterway's economic role in the region.

The crossing carries Interstate 75 and US Route 23 over the river and sees thousands of vehicles each day. Heavy traffic is common on summer weekends and holidays when many drivers head north toward Lake Superior.

The structure uses precast concrete segments held together by thousands of steel cables, a method that was still uncommon in the United States at the time of construction. During the building phase, a serious incident occurred when a section of the deck settled unevenly and had to be rebuilt.