All-America Bridge

The All-America Bridge in Akron, Ohio is a viaduct carrying Ohio State Route 261 over the Little Cuyahoga River that splits into a one-way pair. Constructed 1981–1982,[1][2] the bridge was named in recognition of Akron's past All-America City Awards[1] and is also locally known as the Y-Bridge.[3] The bridge is 134 feet tall in its highest location.[1]

The bridge's predecessor, the 1922 North Hill Viaduct, was closed in 1977[1] after a collapse killed three. The poem Under The North Hill Viaduct was written by Rita Dove.

Over its existence, the bridge has been the site of at least one suicide a year (police records are incomplete).[4] From 1997 until December 3, 2009, 29 people committed suicide by jumping from the bridge.[3][5]

In 2009, it was announced that $1 million to $1.5 million would be spent to fence the bridge using federal economic stimulus funds.[6] Fencing the bridge was controversial in Akron and the plan had previously failed to receive local support.[7][8] Previous local attempts to fence the bridge failed in 1991, 1993, 2000 and 2006.[9][10] The project was expected to be completed by September 2010[2] but was stopped for the winter of 2010-2011.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Bridge Basics". Akron Beacon Journal. 2009-12-06. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=12C7E079D2D384E0&p_docnum=68&p_queryname=2. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  2. ^ a b Farkas, Karen (2009-08-25). "Valley View I-480 bridge barrier replacement put off for two years". The Plain Dealer. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/08/valley_view_i480_bridge_barrie.html. Retrieved 2009-08-27. 
  3. ^ a b Price, Mark J. (2009-12-06). "'Suicide Bridge' Spans Lives". Akron Beacon Journal. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=12C7E079CFB43F98&p_docnum=2&p_queryname=4. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  4. ^ Grollmus, Denise (2005-06-08). "Suicide Bridge". Scene. http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/suicide-bridge/Content?oid=1490951. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  5. ^ "'Suicide Bridge'". Akron Beacon Journal. 2009-12-06. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=NewsBank&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=12C7E079D4936138&p_docnum=1&p_queryname=4. Retrieved 2010-04-05. 
  6. ^ Cooper, Michael (2009-05-05). "Soul-Searching in Akron, Ohio, Over Stimulus Use". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/us/06akron.html. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  7. ^ Warsmith, Stephanie; Rick Armon; Bob Downing (2009-03-27). "Y-Bridge Will Be Fenced". Akron Beacon Journal. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%2012737CE60DC373E8%20)&p_docid=12737CE60DC373E8&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=12737CE60DC373E8&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=P67P50IHMTI1MTc2MDE2NS4xMjc0NjoxOjEyOjE5OC4zMC4yMjguMA&&p_multi=ABJB. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  8. ^ Kist, Stephanie (2008-06-05). "West Akron couple urge Council to fence Y-Bridge". West Side Leader. http://www.akron.com/akron-ohio-community-news.asp?aID=2569. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  9. ^ Massey, Delano R. (2006-05-31). "City May Fence In Bridge". Akron Beacon Journal. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%20111FAE6122D121B8%20)&p_docid=111FAE6122D121B8&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=111FAE6122D121B8&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=K6EO57DOMTI1MTc1OTg0Mi45NjcxNjoxOjEyOjE5OC4zMC4yMjguMA&&p_multi=ABJB. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  10. ^ Quinn, Jim (1993-06-22). "Funds Are Sought For Fences Along Y-Bridge". Akron Beacon Journal. http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc&p_topdoc=1&p_docnum=1&p_sort=YMD_date:D&p_product=NewsBank&p_text_direct-0=document_id=(%200EB62F53969128CE%20)&p_docid=0EB62F53969128CE&p_theme=aggregated5&p_queryname=0EB62F53969128CE&f_openurl=yes&p_nbid=I63L4CRDMTI1MTc1OTg1OS44NTMyMTA6MToxMjoxOTguMzAuMjI4LjA&&p_multi=ABJB. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  11. ^ Warsmith, Stephanie (2010-11-24). "Y-bridge to remain fully open until spring". Akron Beacon Journal. http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/110318449.html. Retrieved 2011-02-05. 

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