Washington Crossing Bridge (Pittsburgh)
The Washington Crossing Bridge, commonly known as the Fortieth Street Bridge, is an arch bridge that carries vehicular traffic across the Allegheny River between the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Lawrenceville and the suburb of Millvale.[2][3][4]
Washington Crossing Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°28′22″N 79°58′07″W / 40.4728°N 79.9686°WCoordinates: 40°28′22″N 79°58′07″W / 40.4728°N 79.9686°W |
| Carries | 40th Street |
| Crosses | Allegheny River |
| Locale | Pittsburgh and Millvale |
| Other name(s) | 40th Street Bridge |
| Maintained by | Pennsylvania Department of Transportation |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Material | Steel |
| Total length | 2,366 feet (721 m) |
| Width | 3 lanes |
| Longest span | 360 feet (110 m) |
| Piers in water | 4 |
| Clearance below | 72.5 feet (22.1 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | Benno Janssen, Janssen & Cocken |
| Opened | 1924 |
| Designated | 2004[1] |
| Location | |
History
Erected between 1919 and late 1924,[5] and officially opened on December 29, 1924,[6][7] the Washington Crossing Bridge was originally built to accommodate two lanes of traffic and one streetcar line. Its estimated cost upon completion was $2,344,000.[8]
A 1982 re-decking allowed for the creation of a reversible third automobile lane.[9]
The bridge received its name because it is located at a historically significant site pertaining to George Washington's military career.[10][11] In 1753, then-Major Washington was dispatched to give French forces an ultimatum to negotiate for the return of the lands that today make up Western Pennsylvania to the British or to prepare for a military strike. Crossing the Allegheny on a wooden raft, Washington was nearly killed when his vessel overturned at this site.
See also
References
- ^ Historic Landmark Plaques 1968-2009 (PDF). Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ^ Martin, Park H. "City of Bridges." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 12, 1949, p. 27 (subscription required).
- ^ Stearns, Robert. "Spans of Attention." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Press, February 18, 1973, pp. 246-248 (subscription required).
- ^ "Allegheny County's New Bridges." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, December 30, 1924, p. 6 (subscription required).
- ^ Thomas, Lillian. "Washington Crossing Bridge in dire need of a new paint job." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 4, 1999, p. 25 (subscription required).
- ^ "Washington Crossing Bridge Dedication Attracts Many" (article with photo essay). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, December 30, 1924, p. 4 (subscription required).
- ^ "New Bridges To Be Opened." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 28, 1924, p. 41 (subscription required).
- ^ "5,000 Witness Opening of 2 New Bridges." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 30, 1924, p. 3 (subscription required).
- ^ "Bridges & Tunnels of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, PA - Washington Crossing Bridge". October 10, 2000. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
- ^ Rimmel, William M. "Where Was Washington's Crossing?" Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 18, 1956, p. 31 (subscription required).
- ^ "Bridge Opening Today Honors Memory of Washington, Surveyor-President." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, December 29, 1924, p. 16 (subscription required).
External links
- Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. PA-1179, "Washington Crossing Bridge, Fortieth Street, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA", 14 measured drawings
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. PA-447, "Washington Crossing Bridge"