January 2008: Lorain-Carnegie Bridge
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The Lorain-Carnegie Bridge is a large bridge crossing the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, Ohio. It is this bridge's union of creative superstructure design along with decorative embellishment that make the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge so much more visually pleasing than any modern replacement could hope to be. The superstructure of the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge is a cantilever deck truss. The pleasing arch shapes of the truss spans, along with the geometric complexity that the truss webs provide, combine to form a beautiful bridge superstructure. The decorative embellishments on the bridge include railings, piers, and four large stone pylons called the Guardians of Traffic, each of which include sculptures of two figures holding a vehicle. The vehicles they hold showcase the progress in transportation and industrial development in the United States. Fortunately, Cleveland appears to have recognized the value of this structure, and the bridge has been well maintained and preserved. This bridge has a 97.1% Sufficiency rating, which is an incredible rating for a 1932 bridge that serves 13,350 cars a day. This bridge's stunning condition shows that historic bridges do not have to be demolished, and that they can be restored and continue to serve traffic for many decades to come. The Lorain-Carnegie Bridge serves as a role model and example for other places to follow. Click here to visit the page for the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. |
February-April 2008: Bellaire Bridge
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The Bellaire Bridge is an old and long example of the most complex bridge design ever conceived, the cantilever truss. No other bridge type rivals the cantilever in terms of the complex network of steel, angles, and shape. Among these bridges, the Bellaire Bridge stands out as an old, long, and particularly complex example of the type. Cantilever bridges are few in number across the nation since only so many rivers are large enough to need a cantilever, and moreover large rivers have fewer bridges crossing them. Nevertheless, these bridges, particularly the pre-1950 ones, are facing demolition at a frightening rate. The Bellaire Bridge has been abandoned and is privately owned, and the Coast Guard wants the historic bridge demolished. This would be a terrible blow to this nation's transportation heritage. The bridge could instead be preserved for vehicular use and reconnected to the highway system. Alternatively, the bridge could be preserved for pedestrian use. Benches, picnic tables and interpretive signage could be placed on the bridge, turning the structure into a unique over-the-river park for residents and tourists to view. This bridge has the potential to be a major attraction for the area, if the right steps are taken. Please support the preservation of this bridge! |
May 2008: Center Road Bridge
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This graceful structure is perhaps among the most beautiful bridges in Ohio. The bridge is a reinforced concrete through arch bridge, an uncommon bridge type often called a rainbow arch bridge. Among rainbow arch bridges, this structure is a very long example, a trait that makes it both historically significant and impressive to look at. The bridge is large enough that it includes overhead bracing, which adds to the visual experience as one crosses the bridge. The bridge is also located in a scenic location. A walk down the river bank offers beautiful views of the bridge. The Center Road Bridge is a great example of how engineers were able to design a bridge that really showed how concrete can be used to create a functional yet also visually stunning crossing. The Center Road Bridge is one of two such structures in the county, both being located on the same former state road alignment. Just because there are two nearby each other does not mean these bridges are common however, they are both extremely rare and large examples of their type. The Center Road Bridge has been preserved, which is important due to the significance of the structure. |
