Innerbelt Bridge, Cantilever bridge in Cleveland, Ohio
The Innerbelt Bridge is a cantilever bridge spanning the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland and carrying multiple transportation routes across it. It features seven deck truss arch spans and stretches about 1.3 kilometers (4,233 feet), making it one of the city's major traffic connectors.
The bridge was built between 1954 and 1959 by Fort Pitt Bridge Works and represented the largest single contract ever awarded by Ohio's transportation department at that time. Its completion marked a turning point in Cleveland's infrastructure development and enabled new traffic patterns across the city.
The bridge gets its name from the inner loop of the highway system it carries, and its large steel frame is part of Cleveland's urban skyline. It serves as a daily commute route for thousands and visibly connects neighborhoods on either side of the river.
The bridge forms part of Interstate 90 and connects major sections of the city while also carrying local bus transit and a rapid rail line. It is not easily accessible for pedestrians or cyclists, so use is primarily limited to vehicles and public transit.
When it opened in 1959, it was Ohio's widest bridge at about 116 feet (35 meters) across. The overall project also involved major repairs and upgrades to 16 surrounding bridges in the area.
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