Ashtabula lift bridge

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West Fifth Street Bridge
Ashtabula Liftbridge silhouette.jpg
The Ashtabula lift bridge in raised position
USA Ohio location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
LocationOH-531.svg SR 531 over Ashtabula River, Ashtabula, Ohio
Coordinates 41°54′1″N80°47′53″W / 41.90028°N 80.79806°W / 41.90028; -80.79806 Coordinates: 41°54′1″N80°47′53″W / 41.90028°N 80.79806°W / 41.90028; -80.79806
Arealess than 1 acre (0.40 ha; 4,000 m2)
Built1925
ArchitectKell-Atkinson Const.
Architectural styleSingle leaf bascule
NRHP reference No. 85001801 [1]
Added to NRHPAugust 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.

Contents

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

West Fifth Street Bridge as viewed from Point Park, 2019 West Fifth Street Bridge - Ashtabula.jpg
West Fifth Street Bridge as viewed from Point Park, 2019

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

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References

  1. 1 2 "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  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.