Dennison Place in Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The King Avenue Bridge
A Brief History
Although the great flood of 1913 destroyed or damaged numerous bridges, businesses and houses along the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers, the old steel truss at King Avenue crossing had already been demolished and the construction of the cast-in-place arch had begun. The 1913 flood destroyed the false work for the arches before the arch concrete was poured. Subsequently, a fourth arch span was added to the east end of the bridge. The reinforced concrete arch bridge at King Avenue was one of the first bridges of its kind in the State of Ohio.
The design for the 1912 bridge was influenced by three primary criteria. The new bridge had to support 50 ton Trolley cars; resist the worst possible flooding and comply with the 1908 master plan proposal, which grew out of the City Beautiful movement and served as a model for many of the bridges near the City Civic Center.
The 1912 King Avenue Bridge was designed by Wilber Watson and was a four span, earth filled, reinforced concrete, barrel vaulted, elliptical arch. The Contractor was E. Elford and Company.
The King Avenue Bridge 1999
The King Avenue Bridge, completed November 26, 1999, is the first precast-post-tensioned, field spliced, segmented arch bridge with an integral post-tensioned, high performance concrete deck.
Franklin County Commissioners:
Dorothy S. Teater Arlene Shoemaker Dewey R. Stokes
County Engineer: John Circle P.E., P.S.
Chief Deputy Engineer: Dean C. Ringle P.E., P.S.
Deputy Engineer-Bridges: Mark D. Sherman P.E.
Consulting Engineer: Eriksson Engineering Ltd. Inc. in association with HNTB Engineers and Architects
Contractor: C.J. Mahan Construction Co.
Erected 1999 by Franklin County, Ohio.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Disasters • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is November 26, 1802.
Location. 39° 59.441′ N, 83° 1.402′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in Dennison Place. Marker is on King Avenue. Both markers are found at both ends of the King Avenue Bridge. Bridge is at the southern boundary of The Ohio State University campus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus OH 43210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Modern Streamflow Measurement in Ohio (a few steps from this marker); NECKO Neighborhood / E. J. McMillen Homestead Addition (approx. 0.3 miles away); Iskcon Krishna House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Underground Railroad on University Land (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named The Underground Railroad on University Land (approx. half a mile away); Neil Avenue Gate (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ohio Farm Bureau Founded (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named The Underground Railroad on University Land (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,390 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.