Recently, I made a visit to southern Indiana to visit family. When I’m down that way, I always try to find a place to hike. Unfortunately, most of Indiana was hit with a ton of snow and some places had a nice storm. While I was there, I was hard pressed to find a place to hike.
I suddenly remember a special place to hike: The Big Four Pedestrian bridge in Jeffersonville.
The Big Four Bridge is a six-span former railroad truss bridge that crosses the Ohio River, connecting Louisville, Kentucky and Jeffersonville, Indiana. The original bridge was completed in 1895, and updated in 1929. The largest single span is 547 feet, with the entire bridge spanning 2,525 feet. It took its name from the now defunct Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railway, which was nicknamed the “Big Four Railroad.” It is now a converted pedestrian and bicycle bridge from Louisville into Jeffersonville.
There is so much history behind this wonderful old bridge. It was in use as a railroad bridge for decades until the railroad stopped using it back in 1969.
It took a lot of money and work to restore the bridge and ramps and was a project that was worked on by many entities over several years including the City of Louisville, the City of Jeffersonville, the Indiana Department of Transportation, and many others.
It officially opened as a pedestrian/bicycle bridge between the two cities between 2013-2014.
The Jeffersonville historic district near the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 because of its architectural and historic significance. It includes a mix of residential and commercial architecture, much of which dates from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.
It was a cold day when I visited the bridge and I couldn’t help but be excited. There was a ramp on the Jeffersonville side that one can walk up and there was also a set of stairs. I opted for the stairs. The stairs were covered with ice and places, and I had to take care of where I placed my feet. In fact, it had recently been closed and just reopened due to all the snow and ice.
I was able to view so much after I arrived at the top of the bridge. The Ohio river had big pieces of ice floating on it. It was starting to break up, but there was still a lot of ice on it.
I walked across and looked at the view from both sides. It felt surreal to me to be walking across the great Ohio River. There weren’t many people out probably because it was very cold. Just a few brave souls were walking across the bridge towards Louisville.
I walked the entire length of the bridge and then turned around to come back home to Indiana. Including the ramps on each side, it’s a 2 mile hike if you go across and back. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday morning and to get some exercise and fresh air on this old river.
Some quick facts about the Ohio river: The river flows through or along the border of six states and starts in Pennsylvania. It empties into the Mississippi River at Cairo, Illinois. It is 981 miles in length. And its widest point is just north of downtown Louisville where it is one mile across.
Of course the river is the reason the bridge was built in the first place.
It’s a great place to visit, see the sights, and get some exercise. The bridge receives 1.5 million visitors a year. It is said that the opening of the Big Four Bridge has been a boom for businesses on both sides of the Ohio river. But I think the best part comes from the connection of two cities.
If these two cities could work together to restore a historic bridge to connect their citizens, just think of the possibilities. Food for thought.
The parking area on the Jeffersonville side of the bridge is located at 215 E. Chestnut street, Jeffersonville, Indiana. I hope you get the chance to visit some day.
A quote for your week: Don’t be afraid to cross that bridge, there’s a better version of you waiting on the other side. – Roger Lee- Motivational writer.
Until the next trail, Susan
Susan Anderson is a resident of Owen County who enjoys hiking and backpacking and writes a weekly column about her experiences. Readers can reach her via email at saanders@hotmail.com or on Instagram @farsideoftheedge.
This article originally appeared on Evening World: Take this bridge at a walk: The Big Four Pedestrian Bridge
Reporting by Susan Anderson, for the Evening World, Evening World / Evening World
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
