The Detroit-Superior Bridge (officially known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge) is a two-level through arch bridge over the Cuyahoga river in Cleveland, Ohio. At almost a mile in length, the bridge’s upper level is used for vehicular traffic and the lower level was designed for streetcars, but has been largely vacant since 1954 when streetcar service was discontinued. The lower level is currently open to the public just a few days per year. A community-driven effort is currently underway to re-open the lower level of the bridge for year-round use as a public space, performance venue, and bicycle/pedestrian connection.
A planning study, co-sponsored by the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Engineer’s Office, is getting underway with a $75,000 grant through the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency’s Transportation for Liveable Communities Initiative and a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The TLCI planning study will focus on the lower level of the Detroit Superior Bridge and its potential to provide a sheltered connection for pedestrians and bicyclists between Public Square, the Flats, and the city’s west side neighborhoods.
The project would not be possible without support from the following organizations:
For more information, contact the Kent State University Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative by e-mail at cudc@kent.edu, or by phone at 216.357.3434.