Closed-spandrel arch."Vehicular Bridge to be demolished June 1986.
"Pedestrian Bridge to be relocated June 1986.
"The Lake Street stone arch vehicular bridge in Muskegon, Michigan, is significant because it is representative of a brief period in the evolution in design of American bridges. Relatively few stone bridges were constructed in the nation during the era from 1867 to 1897, and fewer still remain as examples of this type of construction. Presently, only a half dozen remain in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The difficulty and time involved in construction such spans, and the cost to do so, limited the number actually built. The Lake Street Bridge is a remnant of a distinctive method of construction which flourishes only briefly and sporadically in the Great Lakes area during the last half of the nineteenth century.
"The concrete pedestrian bridge serves a utilitarian purpose providing a safe means for pedestrians to cross Ruddiman Creek. It also provides an undisturbed place from which to view the above stone arch bridge at close range, as well as the scenic views of Ruddiman Creek and Muskegon Lake.
"This documentation was undertaken in November 1985 in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement by the Federal Highway Administration, City of Muskegon, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation the Michigan State History division as a mitigative measure prior to the demolition and removal of the bridge structures."
Kenneth M. Solomon, Assistant City Planner
Department of Planning and Community Development
City of Muskegon, Michigan
Submitted by Joan P. Yearby, HAER, 1987
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