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Cumberland Highway Bridge

Cumberland Highway Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber

Bridge Documented: August 2, 2007

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Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Cumberland Highway (PA-160) Over Buffalo Creek
Location
Rural: Somerset County, Pennsylvania: United States
Structure Type
Stone Segmental Deck Arch, Fixed
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1905 By Builder/Contractor: Unknown
Rehabilitation Date
1935
Main Span Length
30.0 Feet (9.1 Meters)
Structure Length
38.0 Feet (11.6 Meters)
Roadway Width
26 Feet (7.92 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
550160034013640

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
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Bridge Documentation

View Archived National Bridge Inventory Report - Has Additional Details and Evaluation

This bridge is an attractive stone arch bridge that might be considered an unexpected find, since it is located on a fairly well-traveled state highway that includes heavy truck traffic. The bridge may seem a bit wide for a 1905 bridge, but the truth is that it was not always this wide. The bridge was widened in 1935 with concrete. So today, half of the bridge is technically a concrete arch bridge. However, when the bridge was widened, the stones from that end of the bridge were set in front of the concrete, so the bridge continues to have the exact appearance it always did, only a bit wider.

The bridge is today an important example of stone arch technology in southwestern Pennsylvania, despite the 1935 alteration. The continued structural soundness of the stone arches showcase the excellent workmanship behind the bridge.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 38'-long stone arch bridge was built ca. 1905 with a 19.5' width. It was extended by 11.5' by adding a reinforced concrete arch on the downstream side in 1935. The original spandrel wall and ring stones were carefully reused to finish the extension giving the bridge its original appearance on both elevations. The bridge is 1 of 7 similar handsome ashlar stone arch bridges in the county built between ca. 1905 and ca. 1915. It is technologically significant as one of the earliest, and it is historically significant as a contributing resource to a potential Brothers Valley rural historic district with a period of significance through 1947.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane road with shoulders over a stream in a pristine agricultural area in Brothers Valley. Beyond the bridge is a late-19th century farmstead with mid-20th century outbuildings. The bridge is located in, and contributes to the character of, a potential rural historic district with a period of significance through 1947.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes

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Photo Galleries and Videos: Cumberland Highway Bridge

 

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Bridge Photo-Documentation

A collection of overview and detail photos. This photo gallery contains a combination of Original Size photos and Mobile Optimized photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
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Maps and Links: Cumberland Highway Bridge

Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):

Search For Additional Bridge Listings:

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

Bridgehunter.com: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

2021 National Bridge Inventory: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

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