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|id=1800930 |id=1800930
|design=] |design=]
|mainspan= 189 m |mainspan={{Convert|620|ft|m}}
|length=3,112 foot (949 meter) |length={{Convert|3112|ft|m}}
|width= |width=
|height=196 feet (60 meters) |height={{Convert|196|ft|m}}
|load= |load=
|clearance= |clearance=
|below=96 feet (29 meters) |below={{Convert|96|ft|m}}
|traffic= |traffic=
|begin=1914 |begin=1914
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| locmapin = United States Cleveland#Ohio#USA | locmapin = United States Cleveland#Ohio#USA
| built = 1917 | built = 1917
| architect = Lea, A.B.; Lander, Frank R. | architect = Lea, A. B.; Lander, Frank R.
| architecture = Double-deck bridge | architecture = Double-deck bridge
| added = January 18, 1974 | added = January 18, 1974
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}} }}


The '''Detroit–Superior Bridge''' (officially known as the '''Veterans Memorial Bridge''') is a 3,112 foot (949 meter) long ] over the ] in ], ]. The bridge links Detroit Avenue on Cleveland's west side and Superior Avenue on Cleveland's east side, terminating west of ]. Construction by the ] 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 ], also built by the King Company). At the time of its completion, the bridge was the largest steel and concrete reinforced bridge in the world. The '''Detroit–Superior Bridge''' (officially known as the '''Veterans Memorial Bridge''') is a {{Convert|3112|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} ] over the ] in ], ]. The bridge links Detroit Avenue on Cleveland's west side and Superior Avenue on Cleveland's east side, terminating west of ]. Construction by the ] 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 ], also built by the King Company). At the time of its completion, the bridge was the largest steel and concrete reinforced bridge in the world.


==Specifications== ==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 {{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 {{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 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 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 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 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 structure has underground ] for the trams that operated 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 structure has underground ] for the trams that operated on the lower deck.


==Modifications== ==Modifications==
Due to 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 a bottleneck during rush hour. A two-year renovation completed in May 1969 added two traffic lanes by narrowing existing sidewalks from 15 to 5 feet and cantilevering the new lanes outside the central arch.<ref name=ECVMB>{{cite web|url=http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=VMB|title=Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE|work=cwru.edu}}</ref> Due to 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 a bottleneck during rush hour. A two-year renovation completed in May 1969 added two traffic lanes by narrowing existing sidewalks from 15 to 5 feet and cantilevering the new lanes outside the central arch.<ref name=ECVMB>{{cite web|url=http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=VMB|title=Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE|work=cwru.edu}}</ref>


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


In 2003, ] Commissioners approved the conversion of the two outside traffic lanes for pedestrian and bicycle use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/transportation/bicycles/detroit_superior_bridge.html|title=GreenCityBlueLake - Sustainability in Northeast Ohio at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History|work=ecocitycleveland.org}}</ref> In 2003, ] Commissioners approved the conversion of the two outside traffic lanes for pedestrian and bicycle use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/transportation/bicycles/detroit_superior_bridge.html|title=GreenCityBlueLake - Sustainability in Northeast Ohio at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History|work=ecocitycleveland.org}}</ref>
The lower level and subway station are opened to the public for tours a few times per year, typically around ], ], and for the Cleveland Ingenuity Festival. Self-guided tours are free of charge.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701091459/http://www.cuyctyengineers.org/subway_tour.htm |date=2007-07-01 }}, ] Engineer's Office. Accessed 2007-07-24.</ref> The lower level and subway station are opened to the public for tours a few times per year, typically around ], ], and for the Cleveland Ingenuity Festival. Self-guided tours are free of charge.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701091459/http://www.cuyctyengineers.org/subway_tour.htm |date=2007-07-01 }}, ] Engineer's Office. Accessed 2007-07-24.</ref>


==See also== ==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|Transport}} *{{Portal-inline|Transport}}
* {{Portal-inline|Engineering}} *{{Portal-inline|Engineering}}
* {{Portal-inline|Ohio}} *{{Portal-inline|Ohio}}
*]
*
* ] *]
* ] *]


==References== ==References==
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* *
* *
*{{HAER |survey=OH-6 |id=oh0124 |title=Detroit Superior High Level Bridge, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH |photos=22 |color=3 |data=25 |cap=5}}
*{{Structurae|id=20001389|title=Detroit–Superior High Level Bridge}} *{{Structurae|id=20001389|title=Detroit–Superior High Level Bridge}}


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] ]
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] ]
] ]

Revision as of 03:44, 26 May 2020

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 / SR 3
CrossesCuyahoga River
LocaleCleveland, Ohio
ID number1800930
Characteristics
DesignThrough arch bridge
Total length3,112 feet (949 m)
Height196 feet (60 m)
Longest span620 feet (190 m)
Clearance below96 feet (29 m)
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 ClevelandDetroit–Superior BridgeShow map of ClevelandDetroit–Superior Bridge is located in OhioDetroit–Superior BridgeShow map of OhioDetroit–Superior Bridge is located in the United StatesDetroit–Superior BridgeShow map of the United States
LocationOver Cuyahoga River Valley, between Detroit Ave. and Superior Ave., Cleveland, Ohio
Coordinates41°29′39″N 81°42′9″W / 41.49417°N 81.70250°W / 41.49417; -81.70250
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-long (949 m) through arch 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 the time of its completion, the bridge was the largest steel and concrete reinforced bridge in the world.

Specifications

The Detroit–Superior Bridge in August 2015

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 lower level was intended for streetcars. It was built with four sets of these tracks, leaving room for two more, if needed.

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 structure has underground streetcar stations for the trams that operated on the lower deck.

Modifications

Due to 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 a bottleneck during rush hour. A two-year renovation completed in May 1969 added two traffic lanes by narrowing existing sidewalks from 15 to 5 feet and cantilevering the new lanes outside the central arch.

On November 11, 1989 (Veterans Day), 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 opened to the public for tours a few times per year, typically around Memorial Day, Labor Day, and for the Cleveland Ingenuity Festival. Self-guided tours are free of charge.

See also

References

  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  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: VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE". cwru.edu.
  4. "GreenCityBlueLake - Sustainability in Northeast Ohio at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History". ecocitycleveland.org.
  5. Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway Tours Archived 2007-07-01 at the Wayback Machine, 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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