pedestrianbridge-rcnfile

Central Parkway on the west side of downtown Cincinnati will be closed Monday for up to two weeks as demolition crews continue their work in bringing down the pedestrian bridge that connects a parking garage to Music Hall.

The parkway will be closed between 12th and 14th Streets until approximately Friday, August 25.

During the closure, northbound traffic on Central Parkway will be detoured via 12th Street to Elm Street to Liberty Street. To accommodate southbound traffic, Central Avenue will be converted temporarily from one-way to two-way between 12th, Ezzard Charles Drive, and Liberty.

Central Avenue runs parallel with Central Parkway in this area behind Music Hall.

Parking will not be allowed on this part of Central Avenue during the work, and on-street parking, the bike lane, sidewalks, and access to the Town Center Garage remain off limits.

Detour signs are posted on site to help direct pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists.
 
Demolition of the bridge, which connects Town Center Garage and WCET to Music Hall, comes after recent city inspections showed the span was seriously deteriorated and in danger of imminent failure.
 
Crews started demotion last week, using hand tools to remove the east and west ends of the bridge and the canopy, parapet, wall sections and floor. The last major step will be to remove the bridge’s steel superstructure.
 
The supporting piers, which are structurally sound, will be left in place and used as part of a replacement bridge. Temporary safety railings will be installed on both ends of the bridge where it connects to Music Hall and WCET.
 
-Staff report
Top photo: Pedestrian Bridge near entrance to WCET/WVXU (RCN file)