The Detroit–Superior Bridge or Detroit–Superior High Level 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.
Detroit–Superior Bridge
The Detroit–Superior Bridge from west bank of the Flats
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 lower level was intended for streetcars. It was built with four sets of these tracks, leaving room for two more, if needed.[2]
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.
Subwayedit
The Detroit–Superior subway was an underground transit system that operated between 1917 until its closure January 24, 1954. The line served riders between Cleveland's west side and downtown. The system had two stations: West 25th (four platforms) and West 9th (two platforms), which included restrooms.[3] The line ran on the lower level of the Detroit–Superior Bridge.[4][5][6][7]
Galleryedit
Detroit-Superior Bridge in Cleveland
Video still from under the Detroit Superior Bridge
Cleveland Veterans Memorial Bridge Subway
West 25th station in 1939
West 25th station in 2013
West 9th station (approximate spot) in 2017
Art installation in 2019
Modificationsedit
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.[8]
In 2003, Cuyahoga County Commissioners approved the conversion of the two outside traffic lanes for pedestrian and bicycle use.[9] 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.[10]
^ abcBridges of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, 1918; THE NEW DETROIT-SUPERIOR HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE; Stanley L. McMichael; pg 7-10
^"How to go inside the historical Veteran's Memorial Bridge and Subway this weekend".
^"Cleveland's 'subway' rail line tour attracts thousands".
^"Cleve History: Abandoned hidden subway system runs under Detroit-Superior Bridge".
^"10 Photos of the Detroit-Superior Underground Subway When It Was In Use".
^"8 Incredible Places You'll Find Hiding Underground In Ohio".
^ ab"Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE". cwru.edu. 14 January 2020.
^"GreenCityBlueLake - Sustainability in Northeast Ohio at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History". ecocitycleveland.org.
^Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway Tours 2007-07-01 at the Wayback Machine, Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office. Accessed 2007-07-24.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Detroit-Superior Bridge.
Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. OH-6, "Detroit Superior High Level Bridge, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH", 22 photos, 3 color transparencies, 25 data pages, 5 photo caption pages
Detroit-Superior Bridge at Bridges & Tunnels
Detroit-Superior High Level Bridge at Bridges of Cleveland
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The Detroit Superior Bridge or Detroit Superior High Level 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 Detroit Superior BridgeThe Detroit Superior Bridge from west bank of the FlatsCoordinates41 29 38 N 81 42 13 W 41 493843 N 81 70365 W 41 493843 81 70365 Detroit Superior Bridge CarriesUS 6 US 20 US 42 SR 3CrossesCuyahoga RiverLocaleCleveland OhioID number1800930CharacteristicsDesignThrough arch bridgeTotal length3 112 feet 949 m Height196 feet 60 m Longest span620 feet 190 m Clearance below96 feet 29 m HistoryConstruction start1914Construction end1917Opened1918Detroit Superior High Level BridgeU S National Register of Historic PlacesThe Detroit Superior Bridge in 1978Show map of ClevelandShow map of OhioShow map of the United StatesLocationOver Cuyahoga River Valley between Detroit Ave and Superior Ave Cleveland OhioCoordinates41 29 39 N 81 42 9 W 41 49417 N 81 70250 W 41 49417 81 70250Area5 4 acres 2 2 ha Built1917ArchitectLea A B Lander Frank R Architectural styleDouble deck bridgeNRHP reference No 74001437 1 Added to NRHPJanuary 18 1974Location Contents 1 Specifications 2 Subway 2 1 Gallery 3 Modifications 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksSpecifications edit nbsp 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 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 lower level was intended for streetcars It was built with four sets of these tracks leaving room for two more if needed 2 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 Subway editThe Detroit Superior subway was an underground transit system that operated between 1917 until its closure January 24 1954 The line served riders between Cleveland s west side and downtown The system had two stations West 25th four platforms and West 9th two platforms which included restrooms 3 The line ran on the lower level of the Detroit Superior Bridge 4 5 6 7 Gallery edit nbsp Detroit Superior Bridge in Cleveland nbsp Video still from under the Detroit Superior Bridge nbsp Cleveland Veterans Memorial Bridge Subway nbsp West 25th station in 1939 nbsp West 25th station in 2013 nbsp West 9th station approximate spot in 2017 source source source Art installation in 2019Modifications editDue 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 8 On November 11 1989 Veterans Day the bridge was renamed the Veterans Memorial Bridge 8 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 9 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 10 See also edit nbsp Transport portal nbsp Engineering portal nbsp Ohio portal List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in Ohio Hope Memorial Bridge List of crossings of the Cuyahoga River Cincinnati Subway Rochester subwayReferences edit National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service March 13 2009 a b c Bridges of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County 1918 THE NEW DETROIT SUPERIOR HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE Stanley L McMichael pg 7 10 How to go inside the historical Veteran s Memorial Bridge and Subway this weekend Cleveland s subway rail line tour attracts thousands Cleve History Abandoned hidden subway system runs under Detroit Superior Bridge 10 Photos of the Detroit Superior Underground Subway When It Was In Use 8 Incredible Places You ll Find Hiding Underground In Ohio a b Encyclopedia of Cleveland History VETERANS MEMORIAL BRIDGE cwru edu 14 January 2020 GreenCityBlueLake Sustainability in Northeast Ohio at The Cleveland Museum of Natural History ecocitycleveland org 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 edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Detroit Superior Bridge Historic American Engineering Record HAER No OH 6 Detroit Superior High Level Bridge Cleveland Cuyahoga County OH 22 photos 3 color transparencies 25 data pages 5 photo caption pages Detroit Superior Bridge at Bridges amp Tunnels Detroit Superior High Level Bridge at Bridges of Cleveland Detroit Superior High Level Bridge at Structurae Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Detroit Superior Bridge amp oldid 1210520289, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
