CLEVELAND — This weekend, locals will have their first chance in years to explore the old streetcar level of the Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Also known as the Detroit Superior Bridge, its light rail streetcar level has remained closed for years after streetcars were decommissioned in the 1950s.
Since then, traffic still rumbles above the 3,000 ft long bridge, but the deck below remains quiet.
News 5 first told you back January about plans to reopen the space in the next two or three years. The goal now, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne said, is to figure out what to do with it.
We don’t just report the initial story—we follow through to its conclusion. Read and watch our previous reporting on this story below and see more stories that we've followed through on here.
"This is a time to look at this as a new true public amenity, especially perfectly timed as the river is coming back, as the neighborhoods are growing from downtown to Ohio City," Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne said.
Pre-pandemic, the occasional tour or art display took place inside the corridor. However, this plan would permanently reopen the space, bringing bikers and walkers to the “low-line” year-round.
Plenty of people exploring the streetcar level of the Veterans Memorial Bridge Fri. night, which opened for the first time since pre-pandemic. Area leaders considering ideas on what to do with the space and open it permanently in the next 2-3 years. https://t.co/MLvkNywOHB. . pic.twitter.com/6v9LhxzX5p
— Clay LePard (@ClayLePard) June 24, 2023
For about the last 20 years, Tom Chambers has served as the keeper of the keys, checking and maintaining the streetcar level of the century-old bridge and waiting for tge day he could truly share it with the community.
"When you’re on that bridge, you look over and you look down on a freighter coming over it looks like you could crawl on that freighter coming over," Chambers, a Cuyahoga County Public Works foreman, said.
On Friday, June 23, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the public can visit the bridge and participate in a conversation with local officials about what to do with the streetcar level of the bridge.
On Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors can take a self-guided tour of the original streetcar station and tracks. Reservations are not required.
It's been an idea floated for years, but Ronayne told News 5 that Cuyahoga County residents are urging action for this prime piece of property.
According to the event's website, all visitors are welcome; however, those 18 and older are required to present a valid ID. Additionally, all visitors must complete a release form prior to entering the bridge. Complete the release form online here.
To learn more about the weekend of festivities, click here.
Clay LePard is a special projects reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow him on Twitter @ClayLePard or on Facebook Clay LePard News 5.
