Big Four Railroad Bridge
Photos
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Overview Color photos taken June 2005 by James Adorno |
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North end |
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Side view Black and white photos from the Historic American Engineering Record [HAER photos taken May 1975 by Jack Boucher] |
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Main span |
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South end |
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Stone piers |
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Date marker |
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From the Jeffersonville Indiana side. May 2008. The John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge is in the background. Photo taken by Joe Virruso |
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From the Jeffersonville Indiana side. May 2008 Photo taken by Joe Virruso |
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From the Jeffersonville Indiana side. May 2008 Photo taken by Joe Virruso |
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Photo taken by J.P. in April 2009 |
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Photo taken by J.P. |
Facts
- Overview
- Abandoned six-span through truss railroad bridge over the Ohio River at Louisville
- Status
- Awaiting rehabilitation to reopen as a pedestrian bridge
- History
- Originally built 1895 by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad (Big Four). Reconstructed 1929 using existing stone piers. Abandoned 1969.
- Design
- From north to south:
One riveted, 8-panel Parker through truss
Three riveted, 16-panel Pennsylvania through trusses, each 547 ft. long
Two riveted, 10-panel Parker through trusses - Dimensions
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Length of largest span: 547.0 ft.
- Also called
- Bridge to No Where
- Approximate latitude, longitude
- +38.26603, -85.73930 (decimal degrees)
38°15'58" N, 85°44'21" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 16/610286/4236083 (zone/easting/northing)
- USGS topographic map
- Jeffersonville
- Inventory number
- BH 18821 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
Update Log
- April 20, 2009: New photos from J.P.
- May 28, 2008: New photos from Joe Virruso
- April 27, 2008: Updated by Max Johnson
- October 10, 2005: Posted photos from James Adorno
Sources
- James Adorno - adorno423 [at] aol [dot] com
- HAER KY-10 - Big Four Bridge, Spanning Ohio River, Louisville, Jefferson County, KY
- Joe Virruso - virrusofamily [at] att [dot] net
- J.P. - wildcatjon2000 [at] gmail [dot] com
Comments
I finally see working being done on the louisville side of the big four. You can actually see supports standing for the approach to the bridge. I found an article saying that the bridge should be opened by summer 2011. Indiana is still trying to decide how to do their approach, but it sounds like it will be coming over the flood wall. I'm looking foward to this bridge being reopened.
"Construction could be complete by late 2007. " 2009 and still no walkway. This thing has been "coming next year" since 1989. It'd be great if it ever gets done... but after a while you have to say "I'll believe it when I see it".
Can't wait to walk this....saw note though that this will be longest pedestrian bridge in the USA...doubtful...
there is one in Florida 2.6 miles long...and a number over a mile.
great bridge!
I heard newspaper about fire in truss bridge since May 8, 2008. They already put out of fire. It is still standing. It was not damagetruss bridge. Thank you.
The Big Four Bridge caught on fire today 05-07-08. They news says it will not hurt the construction that is ongoing for the walk-way. I hope it doesn't prolong its opening I want to see it done in this life time.
its official for the Big 4
Construction on Phase III began in late Spring 2005, which will add 13 acres (53,000 mē) and include the conversion of the former Big Four Railroad bridge into the longest pedestrian only bridge in the world. The bridge will connect to Jeffersonville Indiana's waterfront park. Several more lawn areas, tree groves, walking paths, and picnic areas will also be added. Construction could be complete by late 2007.
The "Big Four" bridge was the first thing that caught my eye during a recent visit to Louisville. I stood at the north end and marveled at how man can put such effort into building an engineering marvel only to abandon it just a few decades later.
I also vistited the "Falls of the Ohio" bridge and admired the remnants of the stone structures at the bridge entrance where now only one set of tracks now crosses.
Oh,how I would love to travel back in time to the heyday when the rails were alive!
Andy Cole,
Hawaii
This bridge is in the works to being apart of the Waterfront Park in Louisville. When the bridge is completed, it will be used as a walk over bridge over the Ohio River. A great example of a bridge being reused as such is the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis.
There has also been a rumor that a private orginization would like to build apartments on the bridge, in such a way to allow for a "waterfront" view.