The Higginsport Bridge, which was part of the former A&P Highway and US Route 52, spans White Oak Creek in Higginsport, Ohio.
The Higginsport Bridge, which was part of the former A&P Highway and US Route 52, spans White Oak Creek in Higginsport, Ohio. The Whipple through truss was constructed circa 1885 by the Smith Bridge Company. 5
In 1943, work began on a new, higher-elevation, two-lane bridge to reroute traffic. 4 This project, costing $600,000, 4 was completed and officially opened on July 26, 1945, in a ceremony attended by Governor Lausche. 1 3 Other notable speakers included Perry T. Ford, Director of the State Highway Department; Joseph R. Gardner, President of the Cincinnati Automobile Club; Judge John Hauserman and Judge Purnell of Maysville, Kentucky; Charles Williams, and the President of the Southwestern Division of the Cincinnati Automobile Club. A motorcade, led by the Georgetown High School Band, proceeded from Higginsport Park to the bridge, where Dorothy R. Brookband conducted the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
This new bridge was a key part of the US Route 52 modernization between Cincinnati and Portsmouth. 4 The original Higginsport Bridge was eventually closed to automobile traffic in late September 1977 due to the deteriorating condition of its roadway deck. 2
Information
- State: Ohio
- Route: US Route 52
- Type: Whipple Through Truss
- Status: Abandoned / Closed
- Total Length: 176'
- Deck Width: 16'
Sources
- Mason, Wilmer G. “News of Radio.” Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Jul. 1945, p. 8.
- “White Oak bridge permanently closed.” Cincinnati Post, 29 Sept. 1977, p. 15.
- “Lausche Ready.” Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Jul. 1945, p. 8.
- “Lausche Dedicates White Oak Creek Bridge To Complete Cincinnati-Portsmouth Road.” Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Jul. 1945, p. 20.
- Holth, Nathan. “Higginsport Bridge.” HistoricBridges.org, 7 Jun. 2014.