Cairo Ohio River Bridge

Not to be confused with Cairo Mississippi River Bridge.
Cairo Ohio River Bridge
Coordinates 36°59′37″N 89°08′46″W / 36.9935°N 89.1462°WCoordinates: 36°59′37″N 89°08′46″W / 36.9935°N 89.1462°W
Carries 2 lanes of US 51 / US 60 / US 62
Crosses Ohio River
Locale Wickliffe, Kentucky and Cairo, Illinois
Characteristics
Design Cantilever bridge
Total length 5,863.7 feet (1,787.3 m)
Width 20 feet (6.1 m)
Longest span 800 feet (240 m)
Vertical clearance 19.6 feet (6.0 m)
History
Opened 1937

The Cairo Ohio River Bridge is a cantilever bridge carrying U.S. Route 51, U.S. Route 60, and U.S. Route 62[1] across the Ohio River between and Wickliffe, Kentucky[1] and Cairo, Illinois. Of all the Ohio River crossings, it is the furthest downstream; the Mississippi River can be seen while crossing the bridge and looking westward.

This is an authorized truck route.

History

The Cairo, Illinois Ohio River Bridge carried the Illinois Central Railroad, making it the first railroad[2] linking Chicago and New Orleans, changing travel along Mississippi River. The 52 truss steel span bridge had a total length of 10,560 feet, making it the world's longest metal bridge.[2]

Construction was awarded to Modjeski and Masters and the Mt. Vernon Bridge Co.[3] It was finished in 1937 and rehabilitated in 1979. Today the Cairo Ohio River Bridge is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]

See also

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cairo Ohio River Bridge.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Missourian, Southeastern. "Ohio River bridge between Cairo, Wickliffe reopens". Southeast Missourian. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 CAHAL, SHERMAN. "Modernization of the Cairo Ohio River Bridge". www.bridgestunnels.com. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Cairo Ohio River Bridge". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 3 September 2012.