Wealthy Street Bridge

The Wealthy Street Bridge is one of the bridges over the Grand River. It gets heavy traffic because it connects multiple paths through downtown, industrial, and expressway zones. It is the southernmost bridge in the city of Grand Rapids.

On the south side of the west bank of the river at the Wealthy Bridge is a major set of what appear to be Water Department outlets or valves. They are very large and let out onto a beautiful secluded river bank.

View of the Bridge from the East River Bank.

Views from the Wealthy Street Bridge

View to the North from the Wealthy Street Bridge. The full span of the Amtrak Bridge and the southern tip of Punk Island are in this view.

View to the South from the Wealthy Street Bridge. The view includes an out-of-service Railroad Bridge and the Chimney for the City Incinerator.

Map

Geographic coordinates are 42.956171° N, 85.684519° WLatitude: 42°57′22.216″N
Longitude: 85°41′4.268″W.

History of Wealthy Street Bridge

-"It looks simple and quite rundown now, but at the turn of the century it took two city governments, three construction companies, a finger wagging from the War Department, three years and more than $65,000 (a high figure for those days) to get the span across about 400 feet of water."--Grand Rapids Press, 5/30/63 Shaky Start for Bridge: Wealthy St. Span Had Trouble Getting Across Waters--GR Public Library, Michigan Room

Began in 1902

-construction firm owned by James Higgins (contract to do job for $23,175)

-"Higgins and city did not get along"

1902-03

-Winter slowed construction

1903

-War Department says the building specifications did not meet flood control demands

-Higgins dismissed

*Fall 1903

-city public works department finished laying the foundations

-Bridge was too big a job for the city

-Milwaukee Bridge Co.--granted $31,558 to finish job

-Bridge is almost complete

-War Department has flood issue again--entire roadbed must be raised 2 feet, additional fill at both ends and a steel arch at the east end

-work delayed when anti-flood specifications met

-one of the worst winters in years--work stopped until spring

1905

-April Fool's Day in 1905--Bridge was finished, but was not opened until fall because roadway and streetcar tracks had to be installed

1949

-Sections of the decking gave way--closed for weekend for temporary repairs

1950

-May--bridge sealed off for two weeks--45 year old span received new deck, structural plating and resurfacing. (cost: $50,000)

-Grand Rapids Press, 5/30/63 Shaky Start for Bridge: Wealthy St. Span Had Trouble Getting Across Waters--GR Public Library, Michigan Room; Vertical Files, Wealthy Street Bridge