Sunday, February 10, 2013

Photo suite 59 -- Big Four Bridge


In 1895 the Cleveland, Chicago, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad -- popularly called the Big Four -- purchased a newly built bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville.  But the last train crossed in 1969 and for many years the bridge stood empty and rotting, its access tracks cut off at the last stanchions.  Finally last week it was opened as a pedestrian-only crossing, part of the Waterfront Park.

It will be a few more months before the access ramps are completed on the Indiana side of the river, so for now you walk across from Kentucky, turn around and walk back.  By this summer the project should be complete.  Meanwhile, opening day was a big party, with bicycles, kids, dogs and hundreds of happy visitors.