Detroit–Superior Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Detroit–Superior Bridge |
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The Detroit–Superior Bridge from west bank of the Flats
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| Coordinates | 41°29′38″N 81°42′13″W / 41.493843°N 81.70365°W |
| Carries |     US 6 / US 20 / US 42 / SR 3 |
| Crosses | Cuyahoga River |
| Locale | Cleveland, Ohio |
| ID number | 1800930 |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Through arch bridge |
| Total length | 3,112 feet (949 m) |
| Height | 196 feet (60 m) |
| Longest span | 620 feet (190 m) |
| Clearance below | 96 feet (29 m) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | 1914 |
| Construction end | 1917 |
| Opened | 1918 |
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Detroit-Superior High Level Bridge
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The Detroit-Superior Bridge in 1978
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 Location in Cleveland
Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Over Cuyahoga River Valley, between Detroit Ave. and Superior Ave., Cleveland, Ohio |
| Area | 5.4 acres (2.2 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | Lea, A. B.; Lander, Frank R. |
| Architectural style | Double-deck bridge |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001437 |
| Added to NRHP | January 18, 1974 |
The Detroit–Superior Bridge is a very long bridge in Cleveland, Ohio. It is officially called the Veterans Memorial Bridge. This bridge crosses the Cuyahoga River. It connects Detroit Avenue on the west side of Cleveland with Superior Avenue on the east side.
Building the bridge started in 1914 and finished in 1918. It cost about $5.4 million back then. This was the first fixed high-level bridge in Cleveland. When it was completed, it was the largest bridge of its kind in the world. It used a lot of steel and concrete.
Bridge Design and Size
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The Detroit–Superior Bridge is 3,112 feet (949 m) long. That's about as long as ten football fields! It cost over $5.4 million to build, including buying the land.
The bridge is very tall. It has 96 feet (29 m) of space above the river. At its highest point, it reaches 196 feet (60 m) above the river. This is about as tall as a 20-story building.
The bridge has two levels. The top level is for cars and trucks. It used to be 75 feet (23 m) wide. It had two sidewalks and a wide road. The lower level was built for streetcars. It had four tracks for streetcars. There was even room for two more tracks if needed.
The bridge is made of 12 concrete arches and one big steel section. The steel section is 591 feet (180 m) long. It goes right over the Cuyahoga River. A huge amount of concrete and steel was used to build the arches. The concrete piles used in the foundation would stretch for 28 miles (45 km) if laid end to end. That's like driving from Cleveland to Akron! Each end of the bridge also has underground stations for the streetcars that used to run on the lower deck.
Changes Over Time
The lower level of the bridge was used for streetcars for many years. But in November 1955, the streetcar service stopped. This meant the lower level was no longer used.
The bridge often got very busy during rush hour. So, from 1967 to 1969, the bridge was updated. They made the sidewalks narrower to add two more traffic lanes. This helped more cars cross the bridge at once.
On November 11, 1989, the bridge was given a new name. It became the Veterans Memorial Bridge to honor veterans. The bridge was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. This means it's an important historical landmark.
In 2003, the county decided to change the two outside traffic lanes on the upper deck. These lanes are now used for people walking and riding bicycles.
You can sometimes visit the lower level and the old subway stations! They are opened to the public for tours a few times a year. This usually happens around Memorial Day and Labor Day. You can also visit during the Cleveland Ingenuity Festival. These tours are free.
Images for kids
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Detroit-Superior Bridge in Cleveland
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Video still from under the Detroit Superior Bridge
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Cleveland Veterans Memorial Bridge Subway
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West 25th station in 2013
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West 9th station (approximate spot) in 2017
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