This is a photograph taken from the "Tunnel Bridge" as it was called. It was the bridge that goes over the present day CSX Railroad (Toledo & Ann Arbor Railroad, Ann Arbor Railroad) at Michigan Avenue, Howell, Michigan. Michigan Avenue was formerly known as Division Street, and East Street.
The Toledo & Ann Arbor Railroad constructed an 800 foot railroad tunnel in the village of Howell. The Livingston Republican noted, May 27, 1886, that the tunnel "is undoubtably the longest in Michigan, and the work strengthening its walls has been completed and it is now considered a safer passage for trains".
The train is going south, is Engine #7.
George Belfries was the Engineer. The photograph is J. Potts.
This photograph was taken in 1902 and depicts the digging of the footings in preparation for a new bridge to cross the Ann Arbor Railroad Tunnel at East Street (Division Street, Michigan Avenue).
As noted in the December 17th, 1902 edition of the Livingston Republican, "The abutements for the new steel bridge over the tunnel near the Baptist Church are being placed. The work grading down the sides of the tunnel continues".
The new steel bridge was constructed elsewhere and brought to the site to be completed.
