The Big Four Bridge is a historic railroad bridge in Louisville, Kentucky. It is located at 1101 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202. It carries trains across the Ohio River, and it is the largest remaining example of its type in the world. The Big Four Bridge was initially built by the Newport Western Railroad Company in 1901. It was later rebuilt at a cost of $5 million by CSX Transportation after an accident destroyed the original span in 1994. In all, 12 bridges were incorporated into this one when it was completed as a part of a major revitalization project for Louisville’s waterfront.
Overview and History of the Big Four Bridge
The Big Four Bridge is a railroad bridge that carries trains across the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the largest remaining example of its type in the world. When the bridge was first built in 1901, it was known as the New Castle Bridge. It was built as a replacement for a span that had been destroyed in a ferry accident three years earlier. A second span was added to the structure in 1912. In 1994, a train struck and destroyed the original span. The second span was then knocked down, and new pilings that were built into the river bottom were used to replace it. The bridge is named after its builders: the Newport Western Railroad Company. The company was chartered in 1878 and officially opened the first stretch of track for regular service in 1882. By 1887, the company was in financial trouble and went into receivership. The Southern Pacific Railroad bought the property in 1892.
Photos of the Big Four Bridge
The photos in this section were taken in May 2018. The very first photo in the sequence shows the bridge at night. The next two photos show the bridge during the day. The final two photos were taken at sunset. The bridge is a Truss Bridge, and it is made from steel. It is approximately 2,200 feet long and has a main span of 1,700 feet. Browse around this site, An engineer can pilot a train across the Ohio River using a cable that is attached to a tugboat on the river’s eastern bank. The bridge is designed to swing open when a train is approaching. To close the bridge, an engineer must navigate the track and bridge controls in tandem so that their train will stop, and then the bridge will swing closed.
Current Status of the Big Four Bridge
The Big Four Bridge is currently owned and operated by CSX Transportation. The company maintains the bridge and the tracks that lead to it. The bridge has a long history of use by both passenger and freight trains. It has, however, always been a railroad bridge, and it has never been used for roadway traffic. The current plans for the bridge do not include any plans to make the bridge available for public vehicular traffic.
Future Plans for the Big Four Bridge
The current plans for the Big Four Bridge are to maintain it as a railroad bridge. To finish out the revitalization efforts that began in the 2000s, the city has plans to add a pedestrian walkway to the bridge. This walkway will connect the Louisville Waterfront Park to the river’s edge. In addition to the pedestrian walkway, the future plans for the Big Four Bridge include completing the revitalization efforts of the Louisville Waterfront Park. These efforts will include the opening of the Louisville Public Market, which is currently under construction, and the completion of the Louisville Bats baseball stadium.
Concluding Thoughts
The Big Four Bridge is a massive piece of infrastructure that carries trains across the Ohio River. It has played a key role in the economic development of Louisville since its construction in 1901. As a result, the bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers. With these facts in mind, it is safe to say that the Big Four Bridge is a remarkable piece of American history that is worthy of exploration. A fantastic read.
