October 2018 - Site Tour and Presentation on Replacement of Western Hills Viaduct
The ASCE Cincinnati Section hosted a tour and presentation on the Western Hills Viaduct (WHV) replacement project on October 17, 2018. The WHV was built in the 1930’s and is one of Cincinnati’s most distinctive structures. It is 3,500 ft. long and crosses the Mill Creek Valley in a complex double-deck multiple span bridge and is an important part of the region’s highway system. The WHV is in a deteriorated condition and the City of Cincinnati is working with County, regional, state and Federal agencies on its replacement.
Under the direction of Bill Shefcik, P.E., Principal Structural Engineer with the City of Cincinnati, Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE), attendees of the tour viewed the WHV from the west side of the bridge and then walked up onto the upper deck and saw firsthand some of traffic, pedestrian, and general conditions of the bridge.
Attendees then went to the Conference Center at the Cincinnati State College Campus for the presentation which was also was given by Mr. Shefcik. He presented a brief history of the WHV; its status; and the plan to finance, design, and construct its replacement. There were approximately 80 attendees. This was a joint meeting with ASCE Cincinnati Section, the Structural Engineers Association of Ohio (SEAoO). and the ASCE Cincinnati Geotechnical Group.
Copy of presentation:
Early Photo of Western Hills Viaduct.