Ashtabula lift bridge

West Fifth Street Bridge

The Ashtabula lift bridge in raised position
Location SR 531 over Ashtabula River, Ashtabula, Ohio
Coordinates 41°54′1″N 80°47′53″W / 41.90028°N 80.79806°W / 41.90028; -80.79806Coordinates: 41°54′1″N 80°47′53″W / 41.90028°N 80.79806°W / 41.90028; -80.79806
Area less than 1 acre (0.40 ha; 4,000 m2)
Built 1925
Architect Kell-Atkinson Const.
Architectural style Single leaf bascule
NRHP Reference #

85001801

[1]
Added to NRHP August 23, 1985

The Ashtabula lift bridge (also known as the West Fifth Street bridge) is a Strauss bascule bridge that carries Ohio State Route 531 over the Ashtabula River in the harbor of Ashtabula, Ohio.

Besides its importance as a major transportation route in Ashtabula, the bridge occupies a crucial location in the city's built environment; the Ashtabula Harbour Commercial District terminates at the bridge's western end.[2]

History

A river crossing had been at the bridge's site long before it was constructed.[2]

In 1889, a 19th century pontoon bridge on the site was replaced by a through truss bridge, which permitted river access because it was a swing bridge.[2]

In 1925, the bridge was constructed by a Cleveland firm, Wendell P. Brown, for $179,000. The lifting action depends on electric motors and a massive concrete counterweight. It is one of only two of its type that remain in service in the state of Ohio,[3] and the only one extant in the state highway system.[2]

In 1985, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

In 1986, the bridge was restored.[4]

From March 2008 through May 2009, the bridge was closed for repairs and repainting.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 National Park Service (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Owen, Lorrie K., ed. Dictionary of Ohio Historic Places. Vol. 1. St. Clair Shores: Somerset, 1999, 36.
  3. ↑ David Borsvold, (2003) Ashtabula. Arcadia Publishing, 18. ISBN 0-7385-2311-9
  4. 1 2 Kroll, John (November 30, 2008). "Ashtabula bridge closing separates merchants from shoppers". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
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