AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Great Lakes and Ohio Valley => Topic started by: iBallasticwolf2 on May 18, 2015, 04:02:37 PM

Title: Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge
Post by: iBallasticwolf2 on May 18, 2015, 04:02:37 PM
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
Title: Re: Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge
Post by: The Ghostbuster on May 18, 2015, 04:18:35 PM
Purple people bridge? Will there be purple people eaters? (Joke)
Title: Re: Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge
Post by: iBallasticwolf2 on May 18, 2015, 04:30:17 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on May 18, 2015, 04:18:35 PM
Purple people bridge? Will there be purple people eaters? (Joke)


Nope
Title: Re: Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge
Post by: jjakucyk on May 19, 2015, 02:49:29 PM
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. 
Title: Re: Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge
Post by: iBallasticwolf2 on May 19, 2015, 03:26:00 PM
Quote from: jjakucyk on May 19, 2015, 02:49:29 PM
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
Title: Re: Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge
Post by: bandit957 on May 29, 2015, 09:01:46 PM
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.
Title: Re: Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge
Post by: vtk on May 30, 2015, 06:11:40 AM
Quote from: bandit957 on May 29, 2015, 09:01:46 PM
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.
Title: Re: Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge
Post by: bandit957 on May 30, 2015, 09:22:22 AM
Quote from: vtk on May 30, 2015, 06:11:40 AM
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.
Title: Re: Newport-Southbank bridge AKA Purple people bridge
Post by: Stephane Dumas on May 31, 2015, 10:50:57 AM
There some photos of the L&N/Newport-Southbank bridge at http://www.cincinnati-transit.net/ln.html