Lorain Road Viaduct

Information and Findings From Ohio's Historic Bridge Inventory

Setting/Context

The bridge carries a striped, 4-lane arterial street over a park and the picturesque Rocky River valley and Metroparks' Rocky River Reservation.

Physical Description

The two-hinge steel deck arch bridge has four spans of 237' to 256'-long. The end spans are asymmetrical. The two arch ribs are plate girders composed of 34'-long segments with butt-welded joints. Particular attention was paid to the detailing, including the pattern of the overlapping plates and the rivet heads. Such detail is remarkable. The original depth of the deck section cantilever has been significantly increased.

Integrity

Rehabilitated, 1988-90. The cantilevered deck section has been significantly increased in the mid-1980s. This resulted in the elimination of the original pylons that accented the railings and added scale tat the roadway level. Modern drainage pipes mar original aesthetics.

Summary of Significance

The 1935 Lorain Road Viaduct is a technologically significant example of a two-hinge steel arch. The use of butt-welding cut down significantly on the use of rivets in the bridge's design and was considered among its most technologically significant features since it was an early use of welding in a major long-span bridge in the nation and by the Ohio State Highway Department. Cleveland's Lincoln Electric Co., a major promoter and manufacturer of arc welding equipment, assisted the Ohio state highway department's bridge bureau with the design. Built by the Lowensohn Construction Co. and the Ft. Pitt Bridge Works. It was selected as the most beautiful steel bridge in its category by the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1935, a well-deserved recognition. It remains one of the most important aesthetic bridges in the state and region.

Justification

This is the finest example of its type and design in the state and region.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes