David McCullough Bridge

David McCullough Bridge
Sixteenth Street Bridge
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
County Allegheny
City Pittsburgh
Road 16th Street (4 lanes, 2 walkways)
Crosses Allegheny River
Coordinates 40°27′6″N 79°59′27″W / 40.45167°N 79.99083°W / 40.45167; -79.99083Coordinates: 40°27′6″N 79°59′27″W / 40.45167°N 79.99083°W / 40.45167; -79.99083
Length 1,900 ft (579 m)
 - Mainspan 437 ft (133 m)
Width 41.3 ft (13 m)
Design Through arch bridge
Opened 1923 (1923)
 - Added to NRHP August 13, 1979
Governing body Allegheny County
NRHP # 79002163 [1]
Location of the 16th Street Bridge in Pennsylvania
Designated 2001[2]

The David McCullough Bridge, commonly and historically known as the 16th Street Bridge, is a through arch bridge that spans the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The 16th Street Bridge replaced the Mechanics Street Bridge which had been completed at the behest of the State of Pennsylvania in 1838.[3] The 16th Street Bridge was constructed in 1922 with a length of 1,900 feet (580 m) and a width of 40 feet (12 m). The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The 16th Street Bridge is one of the more popular bridges in the city of Pittsburgh and provides easy access to the Strip District and the North Shore.

Days after the infamous St. Patrick's Day Flood of 1936, reports spread on March 20 that the bridge had collapsed from the pressure of the receding flood waters and debris, prompting Pittsburgh Police Chief Jacob Dorsey to close all city bridges for fear of receding waters and debris weakening or collapsing them. However, the reports were soon discovered to be false.[4]

On July 7, 2013 the structure was named in honor of native historian, author and commentator David McCullough in a bridge ceremony sponsored by Heinz History Center.[5][6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "NPS Focus". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  2. ↑ Historic Landmark Plaques 1968-2009 (PDF). Pittsburgh, PA: Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  3. ↑ Mader, Nicole. "Northern Liberties Bridge Company Ledger Finding Aid". University of Pittsburgh Archive Service Center. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "False Report of Bridge Collapsing Causes Panic in Pittsburgh -- 45 Dead". The Evening Independent Vol. 39, No. 118. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  5. ↑ http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/david-mccullough-day-schedule-for-sunday-july-7-693824/
  6. ↑ http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/breaking/david-mccullough-day-announced-in-allegheny-county-694596/

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