The Columbia Parkway Viaduct in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of those silent workhorses, standing tall for decades and doing its job without complaining. Connecting to the Columbia Parkway, it was instrumental in reducing traffic on Eastern Avenue and linking to a scenic roadway with expansive views of the Ohio River. It also provided a convenient route for commuter traffic from the emerging eastern suburbs to downtown and connected downtown to Luken Airport.
Opening in 1938, the 17-span, 1,659-foot-long bridge featured eight Pratt deck trusses and nine plate deck girders. The bridge was the final link in the Parkway’s initial construction. The only modification was the addition of ramps to and from Interstate 471 and 6th Street in 1977.
The Viaduct underwent rehabilitation in 1997-1999, which included structural steel repairs, a new bridge deck and replica railings, the restoration of the original fixtures, and the repainting of the superstructure.
