The Veterans Memorial Bridge (also known as the Detroit-Superior Bridge) is an iconic bridge for its representation of local history, distinguished design, and critical connection over the industrial Flats along the Cuyahoga River Valley. The bridge carries vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic on its upper deck. The lower deck carried streetcar traffic until Cleveland streetcar service stopped in 1954.
TAKE A HIKE TOUR: Cuyahoga County has teamed up with the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation to offer Take a Hike Tours that now include the Veterans Memorial Bridge on a limited basis.
To register or to learn more about the Take a Hike Tours, go to takeahikecle.com.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation to extend the offerings of our bridge tours,” says Annie Pease, Transportation Advisor to Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “These events allow us to journey back in time and imagine the bridge’s future role in multimodal transportation. We aim to find innovative ways to enhance connectivity and accessibility, ensuring the Veterans Memorial Bridge will again serve as a vital link for all.”
Event participants must sign a waiver. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. The waivers will be made available online in advance of the event.
For more information about the Rediscover Veterans Memorial Bridge, visit cuyahogacounty.gov.
Veterans Memorial Bridge is a Cuyahoga County-led initiative to reopen the historic streetcar level of the bridge to public access. The streetcar level has been well maintained and the site of public events over the past fifteen years. The bridge’s lower deck has the potential for an adaptive reuse of the 3,000+ foot corridor for multimodal use, as well as unparalleled views of the industrial valley and Lake Erie.
Fun Facts:
- Construction started in the fall of 1912. The bridge was constructed from 2,123,300 cubic yards of concrete, 9,385,000 pounds of reinforcing steel and 8,500,000 pounds of structural steel for the steel arch.
- In 1918, the Veterans Memorial Bridge was celebrated as the world’s largest double-deck reinforced concrete bridge.
- In 1974, the Veterans Memorial Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The bridge is 96 feet tall and 3,112 feet long, connecting Detroit and Superior Avenues over the Cuyahoga River Valley in downtown Cleveland.
- The bridge consists of 12 concrete arches, varying in size from 58 feet to 174 feet, and an overhead steel arch span that is 591 feet long and 196 feet tall.
Photo courtesy of Cuyahoga County
