Rebuilding the Bridge

  1. 1910-1911
  2. Gustav Lindenthal, designer
  3. Reinforcement using same foundations
  4. New deck
  5. New approach
  6. Destruction of station
  7. Traffic continued uninterrupted

With increasing and heavier railroad traffic, it became evident that the bridge would need to be reinforced or rebuilt. During 1910 and 1911, the bridge was rebuilt using a design by Gustav Lindenthal.

The rebuilt bridge used the same footings as the original bridge and was built around the original. By raising the track deck of the new bridge almost 30 feet above the existing deck, railroad traffic was able to continue uninterrupted during the rebuilding.

The higher deck of the new bridge required a new elevated approach. A temporary trestle was built and then filled to the required height.

Photos of Rebuilding

The following photographs were taken by Louis Edward Nollau during the rebuilding of the bridge in 1910-1911. They are taken from the Nollau High Bridge Photographic Collection and the Nollau F Series Photographic Print Collection provided by the University of Kentucky Libraries, Special Collections and Archives.

High Bridge-houses below. [no date]

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Train on High Bridge. 9/26/1910

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Construction on both ends of High Bridge. 10/3/1910

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High Bridge under construction. 10/10/1910

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High Bridge under construction. 10/31/1910

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Train on High Bridge. 11/7/1910

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High Bridge 3/23/1911

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Gondolas backed to approach embankment, March 20, 1910

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Creating bridge approach embankment, April 5, 1910

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Gondolas dumping fill on approach embankment, High Bridge station in foreground, April 20, 1910

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Creating bridge approach embankment, April 20, 1910

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Many additional photographs of the bridge rebuilding are available.

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