The Veterans Memorial Bridge has been connecting Clevelanders for more than a century.

Not only does the high-level bridge over the Cuyahoga bring together the west side and downtown; the historic landmark links the city’s past and present. It will soon be connecting Clevelanders to the future.

The long-closed lower streetcar level has received a $7 million federal grant for an adaptive multimodal reuse that will bring new transportation options and function as a one-of-a-kind sky park.  The funding comes from programming grants associated with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Nothing is more important than getting the spine of our region connected," says County Executive Chris Ronayne, whose administration has been integral in the project, which he has dubbed the “Low Line.”

“It’s exciting to be able to see the Cuyahoga River valley and the great Lake Erie --walking it is an experience like no other, and the reuse is a commuter benefit that will enhance a multimodal community.  This bridge itself is a destination -- and it is also a passageway.”

History

 The 3,112-foot compression-arch steel bridge, originally called the Detroit Superior Bridge, was dedicated in 1918. It was the first Cleveland bridge tall enough to not have to be raised for passing river traffic.

The bridge ushered in a new era in a growing city. It drove progress. In addition to the top-level roadway, the lower level housed four subway lines, connecting the west side and downtown through public transit.

By 1930 more than 70,000 cars were using the bridge each day. But as traffic on the top increased, traffic below slowed down. Streetcar use declined as car ownership grew, and the last train ran in January 1954. Deemed unsafe for automobile use, the ramps to the lower level were closed over in November 1955.

Since then, the nearly mile-long lower level has sat empty – filled with ghosts of busier times, opening occasionally for a festival or event, but mostly unused.

Until now. After nearly a decade of envisioning, progress is being made on permanently re-opening the lower bridge level. The $7 million federal grant builds on a 2013 federally funded planning study overseeing the concept and vision of the project.  The county, ODOT and City of Cleveland are all involved in the project.

“There has been work for a better part of a decade to reactivate the former streetcar corridor and make the bridge more multi-modal and destination oriented,” said Ronayne.

The grant enables work to begin.

“A big part of that grant is going to be spent looking at the utility work AND how to best connect the lower level of the bridge to the street grid on either side,” added Ronayne.

 “The grant will bring us to a pre-construction stage, and that's a big deal. The federal government gave us a very healthy head start.”

The bridge’s history makes this project especially important to the region.

 “I’m particularly enthusiastic because of the bridge’s connectivity with the river,” notes Ronayne. “We've got an American Heritage River that is returning from being an area of concern.

 “We never forget what happened in June of 1969 - that was a travesty turning into a celebration. The best part about the river burning story is that it was transformative in a positive way with the EPA, and this is adding another chapter to it. This redesign is such an incredible opportunity to showcase the past and future of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.”

Upcoming Events

Rediscover Veterans Memorial Bridge: Friday, June 21, 4 -  11 p.m., Saturday, June 22,  noon- 11 p.m.:

Rediscover Veterans Memorial Bridge with a weekend of free family-friendly arts programming on the historic lower level of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Visitors will be able to experience the subway level of the bridge, the original streetcar station and tracks, and unique views of the Cuyahoga River, Lake Erie, and downtown Cleveland. Starting at 4 p.m. each day, visitors will be able to experience Go Dream, an immersive art installation by Chuck Karnak.

Rediscover Veterans Memorial Bridge Take a Hike Walking Tours: Sundays June 9, July 14, August 11 and September 8

Explore More

Rediscover Veterans Memorial Bridge | Friday, June 21, 2024 | Canalway Partners | Preserving the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area

Cleveland History Days | 2024 Tours and Events (canalwaypartners.com)