The Discovery Bridge carries Broad Street (U.S. Route 40) over the Scioto River, connecting Downtown Columbus to Franklinton.

In 1815, Ohio's assembly passed an act to allow Lucas Sullivant to build a bridge and collect tolls.

[8] The concrete arch bridge had seven spans of varying lengths and carried six lanes of traffic and two pedestrian sidewalks.

[5] The new bridge was designed by a team including Burgess & Niple, from Columbus; Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson, from Philadelphia; and Leonhardt, Andra and Partner, from Stuttgart, West Germany.

In 1994, the county engineer's office hoped for classical-style statues of heroic figures at each corner of the bridge.

[10] The Greater Columbus Arts Council began to host a competition for artwork at the site, and two finalists were selected in the mid-1990s.