2024

Rediscover Veterans Memorial Bridge offered a June weekend of free family-friendly arts programming on the historic lower level of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Visitors were able to experience the subway level of the bridge, the original streetcar station and tracks, and unique views of the Cuyahoga River, Lake Erie, and downtown Cleveland. Visitors were also able to experience GO Dream, an immersive art installation by Chuck Karnak. At GO Dream, the audience was invited to experience a powerful immersion consisting of repetitive design elements, echoing the waves of columns and ceilings, and mirroring the bridge’s unique architectural patterns that helped the audience digest its immense scale. The installation spanned dusk, sunset, and nightfall and took place across the entire lower level of the bridge. GO Dream included sculptural elements, soundscapes, special lighting, and live performances. View the event photo gallery.

In partnership with Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corporation, Rediscover Veterans Memorial Bridge offered historic walking tours in June, July, August & September. The 90-minute tour was an unforgettable adventure! The Veterans Memorial Bridge tour was new to the Take a Hike tour offerings and all tours sold out quickly! Knowledgeable tour guides took participants along the streetcar level, from West 9th to West 25th Streets. Tours included actors dressed as historical Clevelanders who regaled all with fascinating stories of the city's past. For more information on future tours, go to takeahikecle.com/veterans-memorial-bridge . All visitors need to sign a release before taking tours. 

2023

Rediscover Veterans Memorial Bridge was launched in June. More than 9,000 residents and visitors enjoyed a weekend of activities to showcase and explore the possibilities for the underside of the bridge. View the event photo gallery.

2019

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the infamous Cuyahoga River burning and in partnership with the Cleveland Foundation's Creative Fusion festival, the bridge was opened to the public for an immersive event featuring a color-changing light exhibition designed by Squidsoup, an internationally renowned group of artists based in the UK. View the event photo gallery.

2018

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the bridge being built Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works opened the bridge for public tours in August 2018. View the poster of the event.

2017

After repairs and construction upgrades, the Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works opened the bridge to the public in August 2017 for free, self-guided tours for the first time in four years. Over 10,000 people came to the Veterans Memorial Bridge that day.

2011

The lower level of the bridge was part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation as part of its “This Place Matters” campaign. The study intended to address design concepts for pedestrian and bicycle paths across the lower level of the bridge; design conceptual alternatives for each access point to the bridge; provide a traffic study for roadways and intersections at both ends of the bridge; analyze the potential for use of the bridge by arts and culture organizations; assess the potential for real estate development within and near the bridge; and conceive of connectivity strategies to nearby (current and future) attractions and neighborhoods.

The Avengers movie filmed scenes on the lower level of the bridge.

2010/2011

Ingenuity Fest, a music and arts-based festival, utilized the lower level of the bridge to host its annual event.

2009

Kent State University’s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative asked students to participate in a design/build charrette to envision interventions on the lower level of the bridge as part of The Bridge Project.

2006

Bridge & Subway Tours open to the public.

2004

Bet Your Life movie filmed scenes on the lower level of the bridge.