Fourteenth Street Bridge

The Fourteenth Street Bridge is a 1614-meter long railroad crossing that spans the Ohio River between Kentucky and Indiana. The steel structure with its truss sections allows freight trains to move between the two states.

The structure was built in 1870 by the Pennsylvania Railroad and was the longest iron bridge in the country at that time. It served as the railroad's sole connection from northern territories directly into Kentucky.

The bridge marks the eastern edge of the Ohio River landscape as part of Louisville's industrial story. It shows how rail connections shaped the city's role as a transportation hub linking north and south.

The bridge is used by the Louisville and Indiana Railroad for regular freight operations. Access is limited to railroad personnel since it functions as an active freight line.

The bridge features a vertical-lift mechanism that allows boats to pass underneath the structure. This engineering innovation was quite advanced when the bridge first opened.

Location: Kentucky

Official opening: 1870

Length: 1,614 m

GPS coordinates: 38.26940,-85.76450

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04