Last week’s Friday Flashback featured a what’s-old-is-new-again look at the Cribari Bridge.
Specifically: the 1985 campaign to save the then-threatened historic span from the threat of rebuilding, and the tractor trailers that would follow.
The story drew more than 2 dozen comments. Several referenced the temporary bridge that was erected when — a few years later — the bridge was rehabilitated.
(Spoiler alert: The renovation did not alter the structure. The temporary bridge — much praised for its height, and ease of use — was demolished once the project was completed.)
This week, we show you one of the few photos of that temporary bridge. No, it’s not Photoshopped or AI-generated.
Built just north of the permanent bridge, it curved from Bridge Street through the parking lot of what was then the Mansion Clam House (today, it’s the Bridge at Saugatuck restaurant).
Dave Eason — a former co-owner of Mansion — noted in the comments, “It only impacted the extreme southern end of the lot. It actually worked really well.”
Today, that Riverside Avenue terminus has been planted with evergreen trees.
BONUS SHOT: At the lower right of the photo is what was then a high hump on Ketchum Street. During the Gault project that brought (among other things) condos to Saugatuck, the road was lowered.
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)