Hope Memorial Bridge, Art Deco truss bridge in Cleveland, United States.
Hope Memorial Bridge is a truss bridge in Cleveland, United States, crossing the Cuyahoga River and linking Lorain Avenue with Carnegie Avenue. The steel and concrete structure rests on massive piers that carry vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists over the water.
Following a public petition in 1902 and bond approval for eight million dollars in 1927, the structure opened in 1932 as the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge. It received its current name in 1983 to honor Harry Hope, father of entertainer Bob Hope and a stonemason who worked on the construction.
Eight monumental Guardian sculptures stand on four stone pylons, each holding a vehicle as a symbol of transportation in their hands. These figures from the early 1930s combine modern design with traditional stonework, drawing the attention of pedestrians and cyclists crossing today.
The span rises about 93 feet (28 meters) above the water, allowing vessels to pass underneath, while separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists have been available since 2012. Walking or cycling across offers views of the river and the industrial sites along its banks.
Frank Walker designed the Guardian figures holding different vehicle types, including a truck, a bus, and a hay wagon, representing the evolution of transportation. Henry Hering carved each sculpture from solid stone, with each figure standing over 35 feet (10 meters) tall and weighing several tons.
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