The former Toledo Terminal “Upper River Bridge” is coming down this week after its owner couldn’t even give away the structure.
Chad Young
TOLEDO, Ohio – Travelers on the Ohio Turnpike have passed one of its unique landmarks in Toledo for decades, but that will soon change. Crews have begun to remove the former Toledo Terminal “Upper Bridge” that runs parallel to the highway this week. The bridge connects Toledo on the north bank of the river with Perrysburg on the south bank.
The Toledo Blade reports that the bridge is being dismantled by Miller Brothers Construction under a $1.9 million state contract. Owner Wood County Port Authority was unable to give the bridge away after multiple engineering surveys deemed it unsuitable for recreational trail use.
The demolition work, which includes the construction of temporary causeways shown here, is expected to be done by Christmas. In spring 2019, Miller Brothers will construct a commemorative park on the Toledo side, according to the report.
Named for its position upriver from the railroad’s other river crossing, the bridge was damaged in March 1982 in a derailment. Toledo Terminal successor CSX Transportation conveyed the bridge to the public agency in 2011.
