Greentree Road Bridge

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 3 span, 142'-long, steel stringer bridge built in 1950 is supported on concrete abutments and concrete bents. The center span has haunched built up stringers, and the approach spans have rolled section stringers. The bridge has a longitudinal joint due to its width. The deck and safety shape parapets were placed in 1977. The bridge is an example of a common bridge type with no individually distinctive or noteworthy details. Its significance is in historic association and physical connection with the Penn Lincoln Parkway, a nationally outstanding post-WW II urban expressway project. The parkway and its associated structures are historically and technologically significant.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries 4 lanes of traffic and 2 sidewalks over 4 lanes of traffic in an area of post-WW II commercial strip development. The Penn Lincoln Parkway (1946-1960) is an important engineering achievement that is an outstanding example of post-WW II urban expressway planning and design. It required innovative engineering solutions, including the construction of more than 60 bridges, 2 major tunnels, complex interchanges, and the relocation of existing streets and rail lines. It was the largest single project directed by the state highway department up to that time stretching over 19.5 miles in a general east-west direction from US 22 in Churchill to downtown and then west to SR 60 in Robinson Twp. The parkway was built in stages over a period of 14 years, mainly to spread out the huge expense.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes