Ashtabula lift bridge

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.

This article is about the present-day bridge. For the historical bridge that collapsed, see Ashtabula River railroad disaster.
West Fifth Street Bridge
The Ashtabula lift bridge in raised position
Ashtabula lift bridge is located in Ohio
Ashtabula lift bridge
Ashtabula lift bridge is located in the United States
Ashtabula lift bridge
Location SR 531 over Ashtabula River, Ashtabula, Ohio
Coordinates41°54′1″N 80°47′53″W
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

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

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

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. 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. Kroll, John (November 30, 2008). "Ashtabula bridge closing separates merchants from shoppers". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
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