FR104 - Louisville and Jeffersonvile Bridge over Ohio River for New York Central Lines Manufactured and Erected by McClintic-Marshall Company, 1929

Item — Frame: FR, Frame: 104

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Black and white photograph made in 1929 by the Rembrandt Studios of Pittsburgh, PA. with conservation framing by Tri-Maple Studios, Jeffrey P. Rowe, Conservator, 981 North, New Alexandria, PA 15670-0622

Dates

Creation: 1929

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

English

Extent

From the Collection: 112 frame

Additional Description

Abstract

Photograph of Big Four Bridge. This bridge was built by Lehigh University alumni Class of 1888 Howard Hale McClintic and Charles Donnell Marshall who shortly after graduating in civil engineering formed the structural engineering company McClintic-Marshall Company. Their company was involved in the building of many spectacular structures among which the gates for the Panama Canal and this railroad bridge.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

April 20, 2018 -- John F. McCaskie (gift) McCaskie, chief engineer of Swank Associates Companies Inc. Lehigh Class of 1961

Bibliography

The Louisville and Jeffersonville Bridge over Ohio River for New York Central Lines manufactured and erected by McClintic-Marshall Company 1929 is the title of the photograph. The nickname of this bridge is the “Big Four Bridge” because it was originally built to accommodate the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway. It opened in 1895 as a single track railway bridge near the Falls of the Ohio. The New York Central Railroad became the parent company of the “Big Four” Railway. Originally built as a six-span through truss railroad bridge with an entire span of 2,525 ft (770m) with 53 ft (16m) clearance. The northernmost span is a riveted 8-panel Parker through truss, the next three spans are riveted, 16-panel Pennsylvania through trusses and the two southern spans are 10-panel Parker through trusses. The longest single span is 547 ft (167m). In 1929 the bridge was updated by the McClintic-Marshall Company which is what makes it significant for Lehigh University’s Special Collections where it may be viewed. The end of railroad use occurred in 1969 and the bridge was closed. It was removed from its piers and became a pedestrian and bicycle bridge with spiral ramps giving access on both sides of the river but a big feature of the Louisville Waterfront Park. The profile of the bridge is now rigged with LED lights that are lit for special occassions for a fee. The masonry piers were reused to erect a modern bridge.