Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge

[iBallasticwolf2]

The Newport Southbank bridge is a pedestrain bridge over the Ohio river in Cincinnati.

I wanted to know if anyone could find a picture of it before it was converted to pedestrain. Also what the configuration was since it seems to have 3 seperate corridors. The two outer ones which I guess carried vehicles (Not sure how many lanes) and the middle deck carried pedestrains?

On the Ohio side it currently ends at Mehring way but it seems to have extended to Second street originally. Also far eastern deck is not in use. I'm guessing it used to carry lanes

[The Ghostbuster]

Purple people bridge? Will there be purple people eaters? (Joke)

[iBallasticwolf2]

Purple people bridge? Will there be purple people eaters? (Joke)

Nope

[jjakucyk]

The western (largest) section was a simple 2-lane street.  The middle was and still is a pedestrian sidewalk.  The eastern section was a single-track railroad for the L&N Railroad, hence its previous name, the L&N Bridge, and before that the Newport & Cincinnati Bridge. 

When originally built, a southbound streetcar track was cantilevered off the west side of the bridge (now removed), the roadway was a shared wagon/pedestrian path, and the middle section that's today's sidewalk was for northbound streetcars. 

[iBallasticwolf2]

The western (largest) section was a simple 2-lane street.  The middle was and still is a pedestrian sidewalk.  The eastern section was a single-track railroad for the L&N Railroad, hence its previous name, the L&N Bridge, and before that the Newport & Cincinnati Bridge. 

When originally built, a southbound streetcar track was cantilevered off the west side of the bridge (now removed), the roadway was a shared wagon/pedestrian path, and the middle section that's today's sidewalk was for northbound streetcars.

Thanks for telling me the configuration

[bandit957]

It actually does end at Pete Rose Way (the former 2nd Street). The bridge used to split, and the western split went over 2nd and up to 3rd. That part had a looped ramp from 2nd.

[vtk]

It actually does end at Pete Rose Way (the former 2nd Street). The bridge used to split, and the western split went over 2nd and up to 3rd. That part had a looped ramp from 2nd.

Most of that loop ramp is still there, too. I walked on it several years ago.

PS check out Google Earth for historic aerial imagery. The USGS aerials from the 90s are blurry but the previous configuration can be seen.

[bandit957]

Most of that loop ramp is still there, too. I walked on it several years ago.

If it's the one I'm thinking of, they finally got rid of it around 2012 and put a parking lot in its place.

[Stephane Dumas]

There some photos of the L&N/Newport-Southbank bridge at http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/ln.html