The Tridge

The Tridge is the formal name of a three-way wooden footbridge spanning the confluence of the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers in Chippewassee Park near downtown Midland, Michigan, in the Tri-Cities region. Named as a portmanteau of "tri" and "bridge", the structure opened in 1981. It consists of one 31ft tall central pillar supporting three spokes. Each spoke is 180ft long by 8ft wide.HistoryThe bridge was constructed in 1981 at the instigation of the Midland Area Community Foundation . The bridge cost $732,000 to build, and took 6,400 hours of labor. Ten railroad car loads of prefabricated wood, and of concrete were used to construct three arches, which weigh apiece. Each appendage is 180by. Gerace Construction Company worked on the project. As a symbol, the bridge has been popularized and is the subject, for example, of lithographs.The Tridge was closed in November 2011 due to work on the rails-to-trails project, and the construction of a new canoe launch site.In April 2017, the Tridge was closed for renovations with all stain to be removed and restained and some board replacements. The bridges full reopening would happen in October with a partial reopening of the Fourth of July. Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation donated $2.5 million towards the project.