Closed bridge in Marenisco Township may see new life

By P.J. GLISSON

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Marenisco TOWNSHIP — A retired bridge on Copps Mine Road might see new life if the Marenisco Board of Trustees can manage to relocate it.

That was the word from Bruce Mahler, township supervisor, on Wednesday.

“There’s a steel bridge that spans the Presque Isle River, and the Gogebic County Road Commission is going to be taking that bridge out,” said Mahler by phone.

He noted that, although the bridge is closed and no longer safe to use, it still has historical value.

According to Mahler, the State Historical Preservation Office has declared that the bridge has historical value because it is one of the few “of this type of steel girder bridges in Gogebic County.”

Although the structure no longer can be used over water, Mahler said it would be suitable to locate in another environment such as a park.

“We might look to put it in our park on Fair Avenue,” he said.

If trustees go that route, Mahler said the SHPO would have funding to help with restoring it. He speculated that new decking and painting would be needed.

Beyond the bridge’s potential as an added aesthetic element to the park, Mahler said it isn’t clear yet what other practical purpose the bridge might be able to serve.

If the bridge is repositioned and restored, Mahler said the township then would assume the responsibility of maintaining it.

Bridgehunter.com describes the 1906 structure as a pony truss bridge nearly 70 feet long with a 12-foot wide deck.

The site claims that the bridge is slated for demolition and replacement under the Local Agency Bridge Bundling Program.

Meanwhile, historicbridges.com describes the bridge as follows: “This pony truss of decent length is a five-panel structure. The bridge is seated on steel caissons. It features lattice on the verticals.”

The site adds, “The bridge appears to have good historic integrity with no major alterations noted.”

In other news, Mahler said that trustees also are working toward the creation of a housing unit.

“We have a number of people that would like to build here,” he said, referring to both local and outside interests.

The supervisor said the township is studying the potential of various property sites it now holds.

“We’re looking at what township property that we could make a subdivision out of,” he said.

At their Monday evening meeting, trustees also:

—Accepted their second and final payment of $27,848 from the American Rescue Payment Act, a federal initiative relating to COVID-19. The township received an identical payment about a year ago, for a total of $55,696.

—Learned that the Superior Water Plant, which closed in January, is poised to reopen this fall under new management.

—Discussed continuing work relating to River Street. Mahler said the second half of the street was supposed to be paved before July 4, but the contractor was running behind so the work now is set for next month.

The board’s next regular meeting will be on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. in the Marenisco Town Hall. The public is welcome.