HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


We Recommend:
Bach Steel - Experts at historic truss bridge restoration.

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Ohio Street Bridge

Ohio Street Bridge

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth and Rick McOmber

Bridge Documented: August 2, 2007 and July 16, 2011

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Ohio Street Over Railroad (Norfolk Southern)
Location
Pittsburgh: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: United States
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1903 By Builder/Contractor: Fort Pitt Bridge Works of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Rehabilitation Date
1958
Main Span Length
67.0 Feet (20.4 Meters)
Structure Length
69.0 Feet (21 Meters)
Roadway Width
45 Feet (13.72 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s)
Inventory Number
27301000031180

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

This bridge's future is at risk!

Bridge Status: This historic bridge is slated for demolition and replacement, although some parts of the historic truss might be salvaged and reused!

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

View The Determination of Effects Report For This Historic Bridge Demolition Project

This bridge is nearby and of the same general design as the Ridge Avenue Bridge. Both are slated for demolition.

The Pennsylvania Historic Bridge Inventory listed the bridge as historic because it is part of a historic railroad line. However, the bridge should be considered individually significant because of its uncommon design, which features bulky girders supporting the sidewalk, and due to its wide, unusual three truss design, all of this is presented in a structure that retains good historic integrity and has remained wide enough for even modern traffic. The bridge is also unusual because the bottom chord is designed like a plate girder, which the trusses are built into. In other words, there is no distinction between a gusset plate for the riveted connections and the bottom chord... both are the same piece of steel. The bridge also features attractive pedestrian railings, and is an attractive addition to a bridge on a road that travels through a park setting.

This bridge was not maintained over the years and section loss was allowed to spread and deepen both on the sidewalk girders and at the base of the truss members near the deck. As of 2012, extensive areas of complete section loss were identified on the bridge in these areas. Section loss is a process where metal is completely removed from a metal bridge as the metal converts to rust. Eventually it leaves holes in the bridge. Section loss is a 100% preventable problem. A bridge could be 1000 years old and have zero section loss. How? Simply keep rust from forming by keeping the paint system on the bridge in good condition. A simple coat of paint is all it would have taken to keep this bridge from deteriorating. The owner of this bridge failed to do so and as a result, tax dollars will now be wasted in a costly demolition and replacement project that will destroy this historic bridge and damage the heritage of the park and historic railroad line.

The only good news left at this point is that the current proposal is to salvage two or three of the trusses and the ornate metal railings of this bridge and to restore and place them on the replacement Ohio Street Bridge as decorative elements. While this cannot be called historic bridge preservation, this proposed salvage and reuse of portions of the historic bridge would retain original bridge material and keep it from the scrap yard. The proposed placement of these salvaged bridge parts would help convey to visitors the former design of the historic bridge at this location. As such, it does represent a sound, good-faith mitigation for the adverse effect of demolishing the historic bridge. HistoricBridges.org supports this proposal as mitigation.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The single span, 69'-long, rivet connected Warren with verticals pony truss bridge built in 1903 has three truss lines with the middle one dividing the roadway. The lower chords are composed of built-up plates and angles resembling a girder, an unusual detail. The bridge is supported on ashlar abutments that are contiguous with the depressed section rail line's retaining walls. The sidewalks are supported outside the truss lines on built-up thru girders topped by decorative metal lattice railings with stone end posts. The bridge was designed by the Pennsylvania RR and fabricated by the Fort Pitt Bridge Works. The bridge is not individually significant, but it is historically significant in association with the PHMC-determined eligible PRR Fort Wayne Divison line. The bridge dates from the line's period of significance and was built during a period when the railroad was actively improving the line for higher speeds and capacity, which included quadruple tracking and grade crossing improvements.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane street and 2 sidewalks over 3 active Conrail tracks in Pittsburgh's North Side in Allegheny Commons Park. One block from the bridge is another similar bridge over the same rail line (BMS# 02730100003081). The rail line is the former PRR Fort Wayne Division line that has been determined eligible by PHMC (DOE 9/14/93). This section of the line was established in the 1850s, and it has historically provided a vital transportation link in the flow of east-west traffic on the PRR system. It was the main route westward from Pittsburgh to Chicago with branches to Detroit, Cleveland, and Toledo.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Ohio Street Bridge

 

View Photo Gallery

2011 Bridge Photo-Documentation

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos, taken in 2011. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

2011 Bridge Photo-Documentation

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos, taken in 2011. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

2007 Bridge Photo-Documentation

A collection of overview and detail photos, taken in 2007. This photo gallery contains a combination of Original Size photos and Mobile Optimized photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

Maps and Links: Ohio Street 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.

Additional Maps:

Google Maps

Google Streetview (If Available)

Bing Maps

OpenStreetMap

GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)

Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)

Apple Maps (Apple devices only)

MapQuest

HERE We Go Maps

ACME Mapper

Waze Map

Android: Open Location In Your Map or GPS App

Flickr Gallery (Find Nearby Photos)

Wikimedia Commons (Find Nearby Photos)

Directions Via Sygic For Android

Directions Via Sygic For iOS and Android Dolphin Browser

USGS National Map (United States Only)

Historical USGS Topo Maps (United States Only)

Historic Aerials (United States Only)

CalTopo Maps (United States Only)


Divider
 
Home Top

Divider

About - Contact

© Copyright 2003-2024, HistoricBridges.org. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private citizens. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. While we strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no guarantee of accuracy. Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Information could include technical inaccuracies or errors of omission. Opinions and commentary are the opinions of the respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of this or any other HistoricBridges.org information. Owners and users of bridges have the responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information.

Admin Login

Divider