There was lots of drama surrounding the 8th Street Viaduct in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Originally constructed in 1893 to accommodate vehicles, streetcars, and pedestrians, the bridge experienced a partial collapse in 1907 due to a flood. An investigation revealed that the piers were supported by decaying white oak piles, and some of these piers were so weak that they could be moved with little effort. In 1908-1909, a partial reconstruction was undertaken to address the damage. However, by 1924, the bridge’s condition had worsened significantly, leading to growing concerns about its stability.
In 1925, the city recognized the need for a new viaduct and initiated preliminary work on its replacement. The final design was completed in 1927, and construction began in April 1928 after awarding the contract to the Folwell Engineering Company. The new 8th Street Viaduct, built with reinforced concrete, opened in October 1929. It boasted a 56-foot-wide roadway deck and two seven-foot-wide sidewalks, along with entrance and exit ramps to Evans Street.
However, by the early 1970s, the viaduct had significantly deteriorated and needed repairs. Unfortunately, the city lacked the necessary funds for the project. To address this, in 1973, a city-county bridge maintenance agreement was reached, leading to the renovation of the 8th Street Viaduct in 1974. During this renovation, the little-used Evans Street ramps were closed and later demolished in 2002.
Another major rehabilitation of the viaduct took place in 2008-09. The extensive work included replacing 22 out of the 78 piers, constructing a new roadway deck, and installing new railings and lights to enhance safety and functionality.
