The first sunset of the Big Four Bridge's new life [1] Posted On: 8 Feb 2013 - 4:00pm By Cameron Aubernon [2] Photos: Cameron Miquelon/Louisville.com [3]. Slideshow: See you in June, Big Four.See you in June, Big Four. ... toward the locks near the Falls of the Ohio.... toward the locks near the Falls of the Ohio. American Electric Power's towboat AEP Leader pushing coal...American Electric Power's towboat AEP Leader pushing coal... Team Louisville in the house!Team Louisville in the house! A group of high school students took the opportunity to do a photoshoot on the Big Four.A group of high school students took the opportunity to do a photoshoot on the Big Four. Capturing memories, whether through a camera, a smartphone... or an iPad.Capturing memories, whether through a camera, a smartphone... or an iPad. Another couple enjoying their time on the Big Four.Another couple enjoying their time on the Big Four. The center lane is for bicylists, while the two outer lanes are for pedestrians.The center lane is for bicylists, while the two outer lanes are for pedestrians. And so it begins: The ride back to Kentucky.And so it begins: The ride back to Kentucky. Two dogs getting to know each other before heading back down.Two dogs getting to know each other before heading back down. Papa John's racing team also rode up and down the Big Four, as did a few other professional cyclists.Papa John's racing team also rode up and down the Big Four, as did a few other professional cyclists. As one light dims, another comes to life.As one light dims, another comes to life. One last look.One last look. Heading down after a day on the bridge.Heading down after a day on the bridge. A tree flows down the Ohio toward the Second Street Bridge.A tree flows down the Ohio toward the Second Street Bridge. Mayor Fischer poses for a photographer.Mayor Fischer poses for a photographer. Mayor Greg Fischer and a colleague speak to one of their constituents on their way back up.Mayor Greg Fischer and a colleague speak to one of their constituents on their way back up. Fourty-four years had passed before this long-awaited day.Fourty-four years had passed before this long-awaited day. Time to come down.Time to come down. WLKY kept watch over the goings-on below.WLKY kept watch over the goings-on below. The plaque at the Kentucky entrance says it all; there is another plaque at the bottom of the on-ramp.The plaque at the Kentucky entrance says it all; there is another plaque at the bottom of the on-ramp. AMERICA!AMERICA! Yes, that is a Christmas tree within the confines of the Indiana on-ramp.Yes, that is a Christmas tree within the confines of the Indiana on-ramp. Some pedestrians walked, others jogged.Some pedestrians walked, others jogged. The Big Four was rebuilt once before, the previous railroad using the frame from the original construction.The Big Four was rebuilt once before, the previous railroad using the frame from the original construction. The Ohio River flows under the Big Four as it always has.The Ohio River flows under the Big Four as it always has. The ramp makes a gentle spiral toward the bridge.The ramp makes a gentle spiral toward the bridge. The journey also ends in Kentucky for now.The journey also ends in Kentucky for now. The journey begins with the Kentucky on-ramp.The journey begins with the Kentucky on-ramp. Local media was out in force, having been nearby since the grand re-opening at 11 a.m.Local media was out in force, having been nearby since the grand re-opening at 11 a.m. The 19th Century bridge once shuttled freight and passengers via rail until its decommissioning in 1969.The 19th Century bridge once shuttled freight and passengers via rail until its decommissioning in 1969. Many a bicylist and pedestrian made the nearly two-mile trek through the Big Four on its first day as a pedestrian crossing over the Ohio River.Many a bicylist and pedestrian made the nearly two-mile trek through the Big Four on its first day as a pedestrian crossing over the Ohio River. Spiraling ever closer to the big entrance.Spiraling ever closer to the big entrance. LMPD riding up to help maintain order if needed.LMPD riding up to help maintain order if needed. For now, this is what visitors to the bridge will see of Jeffersonville.For now, this is what visitors to the bridge will see of Jeffersonville. Bicylists at the end of the road hang out before riding back.Bicylists at the end of the road hang out before riding back. Jeffersonville's own part of the thing will be waiting come June 2013.Jeffersonville's own part of the thing will be waiting come June 2013. The Big Four is pet-friendly; quite a few dogs were out and about on the first day.The Big Four is pet-friendly; quite a few dogs were out and about on the first day. Benches placed along the bridge allow for moments like this.Benches placed along the bridge allow for moments like this. A couple takes their time looking out over the river.A couple takes their time looking out over the river. The view of Waterfront Park from above. Note the staircase leading up to join the on-ramp.The view of Waterfront Park from above. Note the staircase leading up to join the on-ramp. When completed, the Big Four will be the longest pedestrian bridge in the United States.When completed, the Big Four will be the longest pedestrian bridge in the United States. Behold the Big Four while resting on the observation deck.Behold the Big Four while resting on the observation deck. The party was still going even as the sun began its final stretch late Thursday afternoon.The party was still going even as the sun began its final stretch late Thursday afternoon. Tags: AEP [4] AEP Leader [5] bicyclists [6] Big Four Bridge [7] celebrations [8] WHAS [9] WLKY [10] LMPD [11] Dogs [12] Greg Fischer [13] Jeffersonville [14] louisville [15] Ohio River [16] Papa John's [17] pedestrian walkways [18] Team Louisville [19] waterfront park [20]
