Bridging the gap

From staff reports

The long-awaited news that motorists, bikers and pedestrians could cross the new Narrows Bridge between the Glen Lakes arrived on Saturday morning, October 24. For some it appeared in the form of an email, for others an excited telephone call, and for the luckiest ones, an unobstructed view along M-22 from Melba Ann’s restaurant to the south or On the Narrows Marina to the north.

Melba Ann’s filled up with hungry diners. Some were faithful customers, others hadn’t known of the restaurant’s existence on account of the bridge closing, an obstruction that had divided the Glen Lake Narrows community since December of 2008. Shortly after 10 a.m., Marge Ives’ joyous email to all Chamber of Commerce members stated simply “THE BRIDGE IS OPEN!!!!!!!” Enough said.

On Monday, an email from Bob Felt from the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Communications reported that the new M-22 bridge was open for business: “While crews have not completely finished the project, vehicular traffic can now cross the new $3.4 million bridge. … Restoration and railing work have yet to be completed. The pedestrian walkway is closed until further notice.”

A Narrows Bridge plaque outside Melba Ann’s detailed the bridge’s history:

“The contract was made to the Illinois Bridge Company to construct a bridge of 80 feet, 16 feet wide and 14 feet above the water. The contract cost was $3,200. In a letter dated August 30, 1870 by Mrs. Eleanor Boizard, to her husband, there is reference to the Glen Lake bridge being nearly completed. This is verified by the 1880 Leelanau County Atlas with Empire Township indicating, the old bridge was located about where it is today. The bridge was opened in 1871. It was a wooden bridge with a lift span to permit the passage of a tug and its scow to pass through. The second bridge was constructed in 1905.”

“Third bridge was constructed in 1928-1931. W.J. Anschultz, contractor, of Saginaw, is making preparations for the construction of the new bridge over Glen Lake on M22. The work of building lodges, tool shelters, etc was begun Monday and the job of bridge-building will no doubt get under way soon. Anschultz was awarded the contract at a figure of $51,737. Another contract calls for furnishing of the structural steel and placing it at Cedar, will bring the total cost of the bridge in the neighborhood of $58,000. The contracts were awarded a few weeks ago, the time limit for bids being September 12th. The steel must be furnished by December 15 of this year. The contract for building of the bridge requires that the structure be completed by September 13, 1929. Thus it will be necessary to detour around Glen Lake for almost another year. The new bridge will consist of three spans, with a 20-foot roadway and two five-foot walks. Robert Gain, secretary of the county road commission, informs us that, as near as can be learned at present, work will begin early in the spring of 1929. The present bridge will be reinforced sufficiently to make it safe for use until then. This information originated at the Cadillac office of the state highway department.”