Historical Overview of the Western Hills Viaduct

The latest article at Bridges & Tunnels covers the Western Hills Viaduct, a large double-deck viaduct along Harrison Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio. As part of the construction of the city’s Union Terminal, a massive intercity train station, it was proposed to construct the Western Hills Viaduct to eliminate the Liberty and Harrison Avenue viaducts and close the at-grade crossings of Queen City Avenue. The railroads desired a centralized viaduct that wouldn’t impede operations in the vicinity of Union Terminal or prevent the expansion of the railroad yards in the Mill Creek valley, and the city desired a modern crossing that was above the flood plain of Mill Creek.

The crossing was completed in 1932 and significantly altered in 1961-63 and 1978-79. Functionally and structurally aging, the viaduct is scheduled for replacement in the coming years.

This is a view of the easternmost open spandrel arch span over Spring Grove Avenue.

This is a late evening view of the viaduct at its eastern terminus. In the foreground are the ramps to and from Interstate 75.

This is a view of the easternmost open spandrel arch span over Spring Grove Avenue. The ramp from the viaduct to Interstate 75 south is below.