Detroit-Superior Bridge lower level to open Friday

CLEVELAND - The lower level of the Detroit-Superior Bridge will be open Friday afternoon from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 pm for cyclists and pedestrians to experience a possible future use of the bridge.

David Jurca, senior urban designer with the Kent State Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC) cycles over the bridge daily, but in preparing for the event, he’s had a chance to ride the lower level.

“It’s a thrill to ride the bridge,” he said.

The possibility of safer access to and from Cleveland would be a plus not only for pedestrians and cyclists but for motorists as well.

Currently, the eastbound bike lane is squeezed out as the bridge crests and crosses the Cuyahoga River. It reappears once through the steel arch.

For Friday’s event, cyclists and pedestrians can enter from either end of the bridge. The west entrance is near the County Engineer’s facility off of West 25th and the east entrance on the Superior hill just above the Flats.

The Bike Rack will have free bikes available for people to experience riding on the lower level.

Bike lanes will be marked by duct tape. Lanes are necessary to segregate the cyclists from pedestrians.

Safety and lighting are a couple of the short term concerns. Currently, lighting is minimal, enough for maintenance crews who service the bridge.

Long-term concerns include what entity would maintain the project over time.

“We hope to have a safe, easy, world-class bike and pedestrian facility on the lower level,” Jurca said.

Mock ups of what the entrances and paths will look like will be available.

The city of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are sponsors of the project through NOACA’s Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative.

Kent State CUDC is part a five-member design team .

After the bridge event , participants are invited to the nearby Viaduct Lounge.

Another similar event under the bridge will take place all day on Sept. 21.