Cuyahoga County presents:

Rediscover Veterans Memorial Bridge

Last summer, residents and visitors enjoyed a weekend of activities to showcase and explore the wealth of possibilities for the underside of the Veterans Memorial Bridge (Detroit Superior Bridge).

On June 23-24, 2023, Cuyahoga County opened the streetcar level of the Veterans Memorial Bridge to the public for self-guided tours and community conversations. About 10,000 people participated in two days of events and shared a wide range of ideas for the bridge. Over 800 people completed an online survey to share their experiences on the bridge.

Images from the event

Location

 

Fun Facts

  • The bridge in construction

    Started on June 4, 1912, the bridge was constructed from 2,123,300 cubic yards of concrete and 9,385,000 pounds of steel.

  • Image of the construction of the bridge. The top steel arch being closed.

    In 1918, the Veterans Memorial Bridge was celebrated as the world’s largest double-deck, reinforced concrete structure.

  • Detail image of the bridge. Where the metal and steel structures connect.

    In 1976, the Veterans Memorial Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • Perspective view of the entire bridge

    The bridge is 96 feet tall and 3,112 feet long, connecting Detroit and Superior Avenues over the Cuyahoga River Valley in downtown Cleveland.

  • View of the bridge with the arches in focus

    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.

Historic photo of trolley car emerging from the lower level of the Detroit-Superior Bridge

“The Veterans Memorial Bridge has so much historical significance in our community, serving as a major hub for commuter transportation until the discontinuation of streetcar service in 1954. Since then, the underside of the bridge has been primarily open for tours—but we know it has more potential,”

“The creation of a lowline sky park could be a key east-west multimodal connector and public space for residents. This tour allows us to enjoy views from the bridge, share some of our ideas for what’s next and hear directly from residents to inform our future planning. I encourage residents to stop out and enjoy!”

— County Executive Chris Ronayne

“The streetcar level of the bridge is a hidden treasure, said Terry Schwarz, Director of Kent State’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative. Over the years, I’ve watched people set foot on the bridge for the first time and immediately be captivated by the space. As Canal Basin Park and Irishtown Bend take shape at either end of the bridge, it’s time to connect the dots. “

— Terry Schwarz, Director of Kent State’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative