Drone Photos of Bridges In Cleveland Ohio

Posted 1 year ago by Propped Productions

DRONE PHOTOS of Bridges In Cleveland Ohio

Cleveland, Ohio boasts a magnificent network of bridges that span the Cuyahoga River and connect the various neighborhoods and regions of this vibrant city. Among these architectural marvels are the iconic lift bridges that gracefully rise to accommodate passing vessels on the river. In this blog post, we will explore the history, significance, and charm of Cleveland’s bridges, highlighting the unique beauty and functionality of its lift bridges.

Cleveland’s bridge-building legacy dates back to the early 19th century when the city experienced rapid growth and the need for transportation infrastructure became paramount. The first bridge, aptly named the Superior Viaduct, was constructed in 1858 and marked the beginning of a new era. Since then, Cleveland has witnessed the evolution of bridge design, with each structure reflecting the prevailing architectural styles of its time.

 

Eagle Avenue Lift Bridge (closed, scheduled for demolition)

The Eagle Avenue Lift Bridge, situated in the

Flats district

of Cleveland, carries its weighty heritage dating back to 1931. It spans 216 foot over the Cuyahoga River. The bridge is a vertical lift, Pennsylvania Through Truss style bridge with a slight incline.

It was built by Spencer, White & Prentiss of Detroit, Michigan, the McMyler Interstate Company of Bedford and Cleveland, Ohio, and the Walsh Construction Company. Steel was provided by Stobel Steel Construction Company of Chicago, Illinois. The design came from Waddell & Hardesty. It was the first vertical lift bridge in Cleveland, Ohio.
The lift bridge once connected to the Eagle Avenue Viaduct. Today, all that remains of the viaduct is this vertical lift bridge, which has been abandoned in its raised position after a ODOT engineer noticed a deteriorating column. It was placed out of service in 2005.

The Lorain Carnegie Bridge aka The Hope Memorial Bridge

The Lorain Carnegie Bridge was completed in 1932, a time when Cleveland was experiencing an economic boom and witnessing rapid urban growth. Named after the Lorain-Carnegie connection. Which Carnegie Avenue bears the name from Andrew Carnegie, the renowned philanthropist who funded many libraries across the United States, the bridge was designed to accommodate both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, providing a crucial link between the city’s west and east sides.
Lorain Carnegie Bridge is a marvel of engineering. It spans the Cuyahoga River, one of Cleveland’s defining features, and stretches for 4,490-foot-long (1,370 m). The bridge’s distinctive feature is its central span, standing 93 feet (28 meters) above the river, allowing for the passage of larger vessels.
One of the most iconic features of the Lorain Carnegie Bridge is its “Guardians of Traffic.” These colossal sandstone statues, designed by sculptor Henry Hering, depict ancient mythological figures wielding various modes of transportation, representing the progress and evolution of transportation over time. These majestic guardians stand as a symbol of Cleveland’s industrious spirit and serve as a reminder of the city’s transportation history.

The Carter Road and New York Central Railroad Bridge

Two bridges that seem to be almost stuck together, The Carter Road lift bridge and the New York Central railroad bridge sit next to each other crossing the Cuyahoga River.
The New York Railroad bridge was built in 1953 and spans 200 feet over the river, allowing trains to cross the river over tracks that are now abandoned. The bridge ceased operation in the late 1980’s when the tracks were mostly removed that connected to this bridge. It was designed by Howard, Needles, Tammen & Bergendoff, and erected by McDowell Wellman of Cleveland, it received the American Institute of Steel Construction Award of Merit for the most beautiful bridge in its class in it’s prime.
The Carter Road lift bridge is still in operation to this day. It was originally built in 1939/1940 by Mount Vernon Bridge Company of Mount Vernon, Ohio. Designed by the famous Cleveland engineer Wilbur J. Watson. It is a Through Truss vertical lift bridge spanning 220 ft over the Cuyahoga River. The bridge underwent massive reconstruction starting in 2010 at a cost of almost $3 million dollars. This project was considered mostly a reconstruction, compared to a rehabilitation due to the massive replacement of the main truss.
Both bridges are part of Cleveland’s history of crossing the Cuyahoga River via swing, lift and jackknife style bridges that still dot the Flats region of the city to this day. It is an awesome feat to see the bridges in operation, and something that will hopefully continue to act as part of our landscape for many years to come.
How many other bridges can you spot in this aerial photo? Can you name them all?

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