THE MAUMEE - PERRYSBURG BRIDGE

Bridges At The Foot of The Rapids  - Gary's illustrated history of river crossings between Maumee and Perrysburg can now be ordered for delivery by US Mail. Click HERE for details about the book and its contents.

Click HERE to read a brief summary of the historic river crossings between Maumee and Perrysburg and to view a map showing their locations.

The 1929 Fort Meigs Memorial Bridge and its future...........

Click on the thumbnail pictures to view a larger image

The Maumee-Perrysburg Bridge built in 1928 - 1929, opening in July 1929, was officially named the Fort Meigs Memorial Bridge. It consisted of seven reinforced concrete arch spans carrying four lanes (reduced to two lanes in later years) of traffic with pedestrian walkways on either side.

The 1929 bridge deteriorated significantly over a 70+ year period. In 1995 repair work consisting of traffic barriers and closing of the upstream pedestrian walkway was done as a safety precaution. After the new bridge was constructed and in operation, the existing bridge was removed from the river, including the support piers and abutments. The old bridge now exists only in pictures and our memories. The bronze plaques at either end of the bridge which commemorate its construction were given to the cities of Maumee and Perrysburg.

The old bridge piers immediately upstream of the Maumee-Perrysburg Bridge are the remnants of the Toledo,  Bowling Green & Southern Traction Company's interurban railway span constructed ca.1904-1905. The two southernmost of these piers are privately owned; none of the five piers will be removed from the river as part of a bridge replacement project.

The new bridge...........

The new bridge, constructed in 2001 - 2002, is a gently curving 5º span incorporating new alignments with the approaches from Maumee and Perrysburg. It has four vehicle lanes as well as a wide walkway for the use of pedestrians and bicyclists. The bridge is located immediately upstream of the 1929 bridge and just downstream of the abandoned 1905 Toledo, Bowling Green, & Southern Traction Company's interurban piers.

ODOT's rendering of new bridge

Mosser Construction was the prime contractor for bridge construction.  Click HERE to view a list of the contractors, locals, government entities, and public utilities involved with the bridge project.    Additional information about the Maumee - Perrysburg Bridge replacement project can be viewed on the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 2 website.

Construction Photo Index..........

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Copyright © 2001 by G. L. Franks, PE / All rights reserved.
Revised: 18 May 2005 20:59:16 -0400 .