Big Four Bridge, Railway bridge turned pedestrian crossing in Downtown Louisville, United States
The Big Four Bridge is a former railway bridge over the Ohio River between Louisville, Kentucky and Jeffersonville, Indiana, now open to pedestrians and cyclists. The steel structure extends roughly 2,525 feet and rests on several truss spans that cross the water.
The Louisville and Jeffersonville Bridge Company began building this river crossing in 1888, completing it in 1895 to carry freight trains and passenger traffic. After decades as a railway line, it was eventually converted for pedestrian and bicycle use and reopened in the 2010s.
The name comes from the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway, also known as the Big Four Railroad, which originally used this route. Today the former rail line serves as a busy link for walkers and cyclists traveling between the two states.
The crossing is accessible daily and offers gently sloping ramps on both sides for comfortable access. Visitors can walk the entire length at a relaxed pace while taking in views of the river and surroundings.
A programmable lighting system transforms the iron framework into a colored display at night, with lights changing for special occasions and charitable causes. The system extends across the entire structure, making the bridge visible from far away after dark.
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