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This bridge is one of several standard plan type truss bridges that tend to date to the 1920s-1940 that are located in or just outside of Johnstown. The Bridge Street Bridge is built to a State Highway Department standard plan and thus is is composed similarly to bridges found outside of the Johnstown area. It is however the only one of this design in Johnstown. Other period truss bridges in the city are built to a different design.
Bridges like this one are often discarded by historic bridge inventories because they are declared undistinguished and common technology. Indeed, this was certainly the case when they were built. The fact that multiple examples of relatively similar design characteristics remain in Johnstown testifies to that fact. However, these bridges are rapidly being demolished and this is partly due to the fact that these inventories didn't even bother to consider their historic value.
Inventories should look at the fact that some of these older bridges may seem common when the inventory is taken, and then consider that even though this is the case, bridges like this are no longer being built today, and those that survive are being demolished. As such, even if the bridge is not all that rare today, it might be rare soon, and as such it should be declared historic. Perhaps the government should define a third designation for historic bridges that references bridges that are "prospectively rare and historic" meaning that as bridges are demolished, a particular bridge will then become more rare and historic. In addition, one must take into account that these bridges from this era, whether historic or not, are complex and beautiful structures that are a real asset to a city like Johnstown, and are also monuments to a city that was closely associated to the steel industry.
For a city the size of Johnstown, an unusually high number of metal truss bridges remain in the city. For this reason, these bridges should be considered part of a historic group, meaning that while an individual bridge may be of limited significance, the fact that so many are located in one city means that Johnstown is almost like a bridge museum. As such, the preservation of all metal truss bridges in Johnstown should be considered. The town already attracts tourists, particularly those interested in historic. Attractions include the Johnstown Incline Plane and the Cambria steel facilities. Creating a self-guided historic truss bridge tour might be something the city could consider in conjunction with a comprehensive preservation program that would ensure that all of the city's metal truss bridges are preserved. The city could also coordinate with the surrounding area, as a few bridges are located outside of city limits, but are still close enough to fit into this group of historic truss bridges.
This bridge got lucky however, because PennDOT did choose to rehabilitate this historic bridge in 2008. The scope of work included a variety of items including a new deck and repainting the trusses with a standard three coat paint system. Overall, the rehabilitation appears have been well designed. The one disappointment is that the original sidewalk railings were replaced with modern railings that look nothing like the historic railings. PennDOT rehabilitated a couple other truss bridges in this area around this same time and left the sidewalk railings on those bridges. Its not clear why the same wasn't done here. In any case, by choosing to rehabilitate this bridge, PennDOT has not only chosen to preserve an attractive historic bridge, they have also shown fiscal responsibility, since rehabilitation has traditionally been less costly than replacement. Located in PennDOT District 9, it is worth noting that District 9 has shown a slightly better track record than the rest of the PennDOT organization in terms of choosing to rehabilitate bridges instead of demolishing and replacing them. HistoricBridges.org hopes that the rehabilitation projects in District 9 will serve as inspiration elsewhere in the Commonwealth, and help to bring a positive change to the way historic bridges are treated.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The 1937, riveted, single span, 235'-long, Parker thru truss bridge is supported on concrete abutments with flared wingwalls. Built to a state highway department standard design, the bridge is an example of a common technology with no innovative or distinctive details. It was erected as part of the rebuilding efforts following the devastating 1936 St. Patrick's Day flood. Over 275 bridges, mostly in the western and central portions of Pennsylvania, were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. To replace them the department turned to established technologies like riveted metal truss bridges, used in the state since ca. 1890. The bridge is neither historically nor technologically significant. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries a 2 lane street and 2 sidewalks over a stream on the boundary between Johnstown and Ferndale borough. The area does not have historic district potential. Ferndale is an undistinguished neighborhood of early 20th century, vernacular frame and brick houses. Central Avenue in Johnstown was specifically excluded from the boundary of the National Register-eligible Moxham potential historic district because of alterations to buildings and loss of fabric through demolition. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No |
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