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==Specifications== ==Specifications==
The high level bridge, starts on the east at the center line of West 9th Street and Superior and extends across the ] to the junction of West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue. It is {{convert|3112|ft|m}} long. The total cost, including the land and a right of way, was $5,407,000, split as $1,687,200 was for land and $3,719,800 for the superstructure.<ref name=DSHLB>Bridges of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, 1918; THE NEW DETROIT-SUPERIOR HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE; Stanley L. McMichael; pg 7-10</ref> The high level bridge starts on the east at the center line of West 9th Street and Superior and extends across the Cuyahoga Valley to the junction of West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue. It is {{convert|3112|ft|m}} long. The total cost, including the land and a right of way, was $5,407,000, split as $1,687,200 was for land and $3,719,800 for the superstructure.<ref name=DSHLB>Bridges of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, 1918; THE NEW DETROIT-SUPERIOR HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE; Stanley L. McMichael; pg 7-10</ref>


The bridge has 96 feet (29 meters) of clearance above the river and rises to 196 feet (60 meters) above the river at the peak of the central span. The original construction included a main deck {{convert|75|ft|m}} wide, with two {{convert|15|ft|m}} sidewalks and a {{convert|45|ft|m}} roadway. While the bridge's upper level is for road traffic, the a lower level was (intended for ]s). It was built with four sets of these tracks, leaving room for two more, when needed.<ref name=DSHLB/> The streetcar level has been closed since operations ceased in 1954. The bridge has {{convert|96|ft|m}} of clearance above the river and rises to {{convert|196|ft|m}} above the river at the peak of the central span. The original construction included a ] {{convert|75|ft|m}} wide, with two {{convert|15|ft|m}} ]s and a {{convert|45|ft|m}} roadway. While the bridge's upper level is for road traffic, the a lower level was intended for ]s. It was built with four sets of these tracks, leaving room for two more, if needed.<ref name=DSHLB/> The streetcar level has been closed since operations ceased in 1954.


The structure includes twelve concrete arches and one steel span. The steel span is {{convert|591|ft|m}} long and crosses the Cuyahoga River. The steel span cost $646,747. About 2,123,300 cubic yards of concrete and 9,385,000 pounds of reinforcing steel were utilized in the construction of the arches.<ref name=DSHLB/> The concrete piles used in the foundation work, if placed end to end. would extend a distance of twenty-eight miles. Each end of the huge structure is provided with under-ground street car station for the use of passengers desiring to board the cars operating on the lower deck. The structure includes 12 concrete arches and one steel span. The steel span is {{convert|591|ft|m}} long and crosses the Cuyahoga River. The steel span cost $646,747. About {{convert|2123300|cuyd|m3}} of concrete and {{convert|9385000|lbs|kg}} of reinforcing steel were used in the construction of the arches.<ref name=DSHLB/> The concrete piles used in the foundation work, if placed end to end, would extend a distance of {{convert|28|mi|km}}. Each end of the huge structure has underground ] for the trams that operated on the lower deck.


==Restoration== ==Modification==
With the closure of the streetcar operations, the subway level remained unused. In Nov. of 1955, ramps to the lower level were closed. The Detroit-Superior Bridge remained bottleneck during rush-hour. A 2-year renovation, was completed in May 1969 to add 2 traffic lanes by narrowing existing sidewalks from 15 to 5 ft. and cantilevering the new lanes outside the central arch.<ref name=ECVMB>[http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=VMB Encyclopedia of Cleveland</ref> With the closure of the streetcar operations, the subway level became unused. In November 1955, ramps to the lower level were closed. The Detroit-Superior Bridge remained bottleneck during rush hour. A two-year renovation was completed in May 1969 that added two traffic lanes by narrowing existing sidewalks from 15 to 5 ft. and cantilevering the new lanes outside the central arch.<ref name=ECVMB></ref>


On Veterans Day (11 Nov. 1989) the bridge was renamed the Veterans Memorial Bridge.<ref name=ECVMB/> It was added to the ] on January 18, 1974. On Veterans Day (November 11, 1989) the bridge was renamed the Veterans Memorial Bridge.<ref name=ECVMB/> It was added to the ] on January 18, 1974.


The ] Commission approved in 2003, the conversion of the two outside traffic lanes into a linear park. The lane would be designed for pedestrians and bicycle use.<ref></ref> In 2003, ] Commissioners approved the conversion of the two outside traffic lanes for pedestrian and bicycle use.<ref></ref>
The bridge and subway station are open to the public for tours a few times per year, typically around Memorial Day and Labor Day. Self-guided tours are free of charge.<ref>, ] Engineer's Office. Accessed 2007-07-24.</ref> The lower level and subway station are open to the public for tours a few times per year, typically around ] and ]. Self-guided tours are free of charge.<ref>, ] Engineer's Office. Accessed 2007-07-24.</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
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⚫ {{National Register of Historic Places}}


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⚫ {{National Register of Historic Places}}
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Revision as of 00:56, 9 May 2010

Bridge in Cleveland, Ohio
Detroit-Superior Bridge
The Detroit-Superior Bridge from west bank of the Flats
Coordinates41°29′38″N 81°42′13″W / 41.493843°N 81.70365°W / 41.493843; -81.70365 (Detroit-Superior Bridge)
Carries US 6
US 20
US 42
OH 3 (unsigned)
Detroit Avenue
CrossesCuyahoga River
LocaleCleveland, Ohio
ID number1800930
Characteristics
DesignCompression arch suspended-deck bridge
Total length3,112 foot (949 meter)
Height196 feet (60 meters)
Clearance below96 feet (29 meters)
History
Construction start1914
Construction end1917
Opened1918
Detroit-Superior High Level Bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The Detroit-Superior Bridge in 1978
Detroit–Superior Bridge is located in OhioDetroit–Superior Bridge
LocationOver Cuyahoga River Valley, between Detroit Ave. and Superior Ave., Cleveland, Ohio
Area5.4 acres (2.2 ha)
Built1917
ArchitectLea,A.B.; Lander,Frank R.
Architectural styleDouble-deck bridge
NRHP reference No.74001437
Added to NRHPJanuary 18, 1974
Location

The Detroit-Superior Bridge (officially known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge) is a 3,112 foot (949 meter) long compression arch suspended-deck bridge over the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio. The bridge links Detroit Avenue on Cleveland's west side and Superior Avenue on Cleveland's east side, terminating west of Public Square. Construction by the King Bridge Company began in 1914 and completed in 1918, at a cost of $5.4 million. It was the first fixed high level bridge in Cleveland, and the third high level bridge above the Cuyahoga (the first was the Old Superior Viaduct and the second the Central Viaduct, also built by the King Company). At its completion, the bridge was the largest steel and concrete reinforced bridge in the world.

Specifications

The high level bridge starts on the east at the center line of West 9th Street and Superior and extends across the Cuyahoga Valley to the junction of West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue. It is 3,112 feet (949 m) long. The total cost, including the land and a right of way, was $5,407,000, split as $1,687,200 was for land and $3,719,800 for the superstructure.

The bridge has 96 feet (29 m) of clearance above the river and rises to 196 feet (60 m) above the river at the peak of the central span. The original construction included a main deck 75 feet (23 m) wide, with two 15 feet (4.6 m) sidewalks and a 45 feet (14 m) roadway. While the bridge's upper level is for road traffic, the a lower level was intended for streetcars. It was built with four sets of these tracks, leaving room for two more, if needed. The streetcar level has been closed since operations ceased in 1954.

The structure includes 12 concrete arches and one steel span. The steel span is 591 feet (180 m) long and crosses the Cuyahoga River. The steel span cost $646,747. About 2,123,300 cubic yards (1,623,400 m) of concrete and 9,385,000 pounds (4,257,000 kg) of reinforcing steel were used in the construction of the arches. The concrete piles used in the foundation work, if placed end to end, would extend a distance of 28 miles (45 km). Each end of the huge structure has underground streetcar stations for the trams that operated on the lower deck.

Modification

With the closure of the streetcar operations, the subway level became unused. In November 1955, ramps to the lower level were closed. The Detroit-Superior Bridge remained bottleneck during rush hour. A two-year renovation was completed in May 1969 that added two traffic lanes by narrowing existing sidewalks from 15 to 5 ft. and cantilevering the new lanes outside the central arch.

On Veterans Day (November 11, 1989) the bridge was renamed the Veterans Memorial Bridge. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 18, 1974.

In 2003, Cuyahoga County Commissioners approved the conversion of the two outside traffic lanes for pedestrian and bicycle use. The lower level and subway station are open to the public for tours a few times per year, typically around Memorial Day and Labor Day. Self-guided tours are free of charge.

See also

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2009-03-13.
  2. ^ Bridges of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, 1918; THE NEW DETROIT-SUPERIOR HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE; Stanley L. McMichael; pg 7-10
  3. ^ Encyclopedia of Cleveland History
  4. Bridging the gap for Cleveland's bicyclists and pedestrians
  5. Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway Tours, Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office. Accessed 2007-07-24.

External links

Crossings of the Cuyahoga River
Upstream
Central Union Terminal Viaduct rail bridge
 Detroit-Superior Bridge
 Downstream
Center Street swing bridge
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
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