Detroit–Superior Bridge: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 41°29′38″N 81°42′13″W / 41.493843°N 81.70365°W / 41.493843; -81.70365 (Detroit–Superior Bridge)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Undid revision 427606607 by Stevehockey4 (talk)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox Bridge
{{Infobox Bridge
|bridge_name=Superior Viaduct
|bridge_name=Detroit–Superior Bridge
|image=
|image=Cleveland Bridge.jpg
|caption=The Detroit–Superior Bridge from west bank of [[the Flats]]
|caption=
|official_name=
|official_name=
|carries=[[Image:US 6.svg|20px]] [[U.S. 6|US 6]]<br>[[Image:US 20.svg|20px]] [[U.S. 20|US 20]]<br>[[Image:US 42.svg|20px]] [[U.S. 42|US 42]]<br>[[Image:OH-3.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 3|OH 3 ''(unsigned)'']]
|carries=[[Image:US 6.svg|20px]] [[U.S. 6|US 6]]<br>[[Image:US 20.svg|20px]] [[U.S. 20|US 20]]<br>[[Image:US 42.svg|20px]] [[U.S. 42|US 42]]<br>[[Image:OH-3.svg|20px]] [[Ohio State Route 3|OH 3 ''(unsigned)'']]
Line 8: Line 8:
|locale=[[Cleveland, Ohio]]
|locale=[[Cleveland, Ohio]]
|maint=
|maint=
|id=
|id=1800930
|design=
|design=[[Through arch bridge]]
|mainspan=
|mainspan=
|length=
|length=3,112 foot (949 meter)
|width=
|width=
|height=
|height=196 feet (60 meters)
|load=
|load=
|clearance=
|clearance=
|below=
|below=96 feet (29 meters)
|traffic=
|traffic=
|begin=1914
|begin=1914
Line 27: Line 27:
|map_text=
|map_text=
|map_width=
|map_width=
|coordinates= {{coord|41.493843|N|81.70365|W|display=inline,title|region:US_type:landmark|name=Superior Viaduct}}
|coordinates= {{coord|41.493843|N|81.70365|W|display=inline,title|region:US_type:landmark|name=Detroit–Superior Bridge}}
|extra={{Infobox nrhp
|extra={{Infobox nrhp
| embed = yes
| embed = yes
| name =
| name = Detroit–Superior High Level Bridge
| nrhp_type =
| nrhp_type =
| image =
| image = Detroit-Superior.jpg
| caption =
| caption = The Detroit–Superior Bridge in 1978
| location= Over Cuyahoga River Valley, between Detroit Ave. and Superior Ave., [[Cleveland, Ohio]]
| location= Over Cuyahoga River Valley, between Detroit Ave. and Superior Ave., [[Cleveland, Ohio]]
| lat_degrees = 41
| lat_degrees = 41
Line 54: Line 54:
}}
}}
}}
}}
The '''Detroit–Superior Bridge''' (officially known as the '''Veterans Memorial Bridge''') is a 3,112 foot (949 meter) long [[through arch bridge]] over the [[Cuyahoga River]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio|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.
The '''Superior Viaduct'''


==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 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 [[deck (bridge)|main deck]] {{convert|75|ft|m}} wide, with two {{convert|15|ft|m}} [[sidewalk]]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 [[streetcar]]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 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 [[metro station|streetcar stations]] for the trams that operated on the lower deck.


==Modification==
==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 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>[http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=VMB Encyclopedia of Cleveland History]</ref>


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

In 2003, [[Cuyahoga County, Ohio|Cuyahoga County]] Commissioners approved the conversion of the two outside traffic lanes for pedestrian and bicycle use.<ref>[http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/transportation/bicycles/detroit_superior_bridge.html Bridging the gap for Cleveland's bicyclists and pedestrians]</ref>
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.<ref>[http://www.cuyctyengineers.org/subway_tour.htm Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway Tours], [[Cuyahoga County, Ohio|Cuyahoga County]] Engineer's Office. Accessed 2007-07-24.</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Hope Memorial Bridge]]
*[[Hope Memorial Bridge]]
*[[Detroit-Superior Bridge]]
*[[List of crossings of the Cuyahoga River]]
*[[List of crossings of the Cuyahoga River]]


Line 71: Line 79:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Superior Viaduct}}
{{commons category|Detroit-Superior Bridge}}
*[http://www.kingbridgeco.com/new_page_20.htm King Bridge Company]
*[http://www.kingbridgeco.com/new_page_20.htm King Bridge Company]
*[http://web.ulib.csuohio.edu/speccoll/bccc/bccc07.html Bridges of Cleveland]

*[http://html.ulib.csuohio.edu/scripts/gis/chronology.asp?id=CUY0006 Detroit–Superior Bridge at HLNEO]
*{{Structurae|id=s0001389|title=Detroit–Superior High Level Bridge}}


{{Crossings navbox
{{Crossings navbox
|structure = Crossings
|structure = Crossings
|place = [[Cuyahoga River]]
|place = [[Cuyahoga River]]
|bridge =
|bridge = Detroit–Superior Bridge
|bridge signs = [[Image:US 6.svg|20px]] [[Image:US 20.svg|20px]] [[Image:US 42.svg|20px]] [[Image:OH-3.svg|20px]]
|bridge signs =
|upstream =
|upstream = Central Union Terminal Viaduct rail bridge
|upstream signs =
|upstream signs =
|downstream =
|downstream = Center Street swing bridge
|downstream signs =
|downstream signs =
}}
}}

{{National Register of Historic Places}}

[[Category:1917 architecture]]
[[Category:Arch bridges]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1917]]
[[Category:Bridges in Cleveland, Ohio]]
[[Category:Bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Ohio]]
[[Category:Concrete bridges]]
[[Category:Road-rail bridges]]
[[Category:King Bridge Company]]

Revision as of 16:53, 5 May 2011

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)
CrossesCuyahoga River
LocaleCleveland, Ohio
ID number1800930
Characteristics
DesignThrough arch 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
The Detroit–Superior Bridge in 1978
Detroit–Superior Bridge is located in Ohio
Detroit–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[1]
Added to NRHPJanuary 18, 1974
Location
Map

The Detroit–Superior Bridge (officially known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge) is a 3,112 foot (949 meter) long 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 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.[2]

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.[2] 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 m3) of concrete and 9,385,000 pounds (4,257,000 kg) of reinforcing steel were used in the construction of the arches.[2] 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.

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 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.[3]

On November 11, 1989 (Veterans Day), the bridge was renamed the Veterans Memorial Bridge.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Bridges of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, 1918; THE NEW DETROIT-SUPERIOR HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE; Stanley L. McMichael; pg 7-10
  3. ^ a b 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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Detroit-Superior Bridge.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Detroit–Superior_Bridge&oldid=427606700"