Washington Crossing Bridge
Coordinates40°28′22″N 79°58′07″W / 40.4728°N 79.9686°W / 40.4728; -79.9686
Carries40th Street
CrossesAllegheny River
LocalePittsburgh and Millvale
Other name(s)40th Street Bridge
Maintained byPennsylvania Department of Transportation
Characteristics
DesignArch bridge
MaterialSteel
Total length2,366 feet (721 m)
Width3 lanes
Longest span360 feet (110 m)
Piers in water4
Clearance below72.5 feet (22.1 m)
History
DesignerBenno Janssen, Janssen & Cocken
Opened1924
NRHP reference No.88000820
Significant dates
Added to NRHPJune 22, 1988
Designated PHLF2004[1]
Location
Map

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] The bridge is decorated with the seals representing the original 13 colonies of the US and that of Allegheny county.[5]

History

Erected between 1919 and late 1924,[6] and officially opened on December 29, 1924,[7][8] 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.[9]

A 1982 re-decking allowed for the creation of a reversible third automobile lane.[10]

The bridge received its name because it is located at a historically significant site pertaining to George Washington's military career.[11][12] 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

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Washington Crossing Bridge (Pittsburgh).
  1. ^ Historic Landmark Plaques 1968-2009 (PDF). Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  2. ^ Martin, Park H. "City of Bridges." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 12, 1949, p. 27 (subscription required).
  3. ^ Stearns, Robert. "Spans of Attention." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Press, February 18, 1973, pp. 246-248 (subscription required).
  4. ^ "Allegheny County's New Bridges." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, December 30, 1924, p. 6 (subscription required).
  5. ^ Blackley, Katie (11 September 2018). "The Colorful Seals On The 40th Street Bridge Are A Nod To American Colonial History". 90.5 WESA. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  6. ^ 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).
  7. ^ "Washington Crossing Bridge Dedication Attracts Many" (article with photo essay). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, December 30, 1924, p. 4 (subscription required).
  8. ^ "New Bridges To Be Opened." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 28, 1924, p. 41 (subscription required).
  9. ^ "5,000 Witness Opening of 2 New Bridges." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 30, 1924, p. 3 (subscription required).
  10. ^ "Bridges & Tunnels of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, PA - Washington Crossing Bridge". October 10, 2000. Retrieved March 21, 2010.
  11. ^ Rimmel, William M. "Where Was Washington's Crossing?" Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, December 18, 1956, p. 31 (subscription required).
  12. ^ "Bridge Opening Today Honors Memory of Washington, Surveyor-President." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, December 29, 1924, p. 16 (subscription required).

External links

Bridges of the Allegheny River
Tunnels and bridges in Pittsburgh
Categories