Rachel Carson Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rachel Carson Bridge |
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Rachel Carson Bridge as seen from the roof of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
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| Coordinates | 40°26′48″N 79°59′59″W / 40.4467°N 79.9998°W |
| Carries | Ninth Street |
| Official name | Rachel Carson Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Ninth Street Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 840 ft (260 m) (995 ft (303 m) with approaches) |
| Width | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Height | 78 ft (24 m) |
| Longest span | 410 ft (120 m) |
| Clearance below | 40.3 ft (12.3 m) above Emsworth Dam normal pool level (710 ft (220 m) above sea level) |
| History | |
| Opened | November 26, 1926 |
| Closed | February 11, 2019 |
The Rachel Carson Bridge, also known as the Ninth Street Bridge, crosses the Allegheny River in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It helps people travel between different parts of the city.
This bridge is 840 feet (260 m) long, which is about the length of two and a half football fields! It also has two sidewalks, each 10 feet (3.0 m) wide, for people to walk on. The bridge used to have tracks for streetcars, but now it has four lanes for cars.
The bridge is named after Rachel Carson, a famous writer and scientist who grew up near Pittsburgh. It is one of three similar bridges in Pittsburgh often called The Three Sisters. The other two are the Roberto Clemente Bridge and the Andy Warhol Bridge. These three bridges are special because they are the only group of almost identical bridges in the United States. They are also the first "self-anchored suspension bridges" built in the country. This means they use their own weight to stay strong and stable!
Building the Rachel Carson Bridge
The Rachel Carson Bridge was officially opened on November 26, 1926. Important city leaders, like Commissioner Babcock and Mayor Kline, were there for the opening ceremony. Building the bridge cost about $1.46 million back then.
Why the Name Changed
For many years, people worked to rename the bridge after Rachel Carson. She was a very important environmentalist, meaning she cared a lot about protecting nature. Rachel Carson was born in 1907 in Springdale, Pennsylvania, not far from Pittsburgh. Her childhood home is now a special place called the Rachel Carson Homestead.
The bridge was officially renamed the Rachel Carson Bridge on Earth Day, April 22, 2006. This was a great way to honor her work and her connection to the Pittsburgh area.
Bridge Updates and Closure
On February 11, 2019, the Rachel Carson Bridge was closed to both cars and people. This was so it could get a big update and repair project. The bridge is expected to reopen after the work is finished.
While the Rachel Carson Bridge is closed, drivers and walkers can use the nearby Andy Warhol Bridge or the Roberto Clemente Bridge. These bridges are also part of "The Three Sisters" and are less than half a mile away.
Image Gallery
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A view from the south side of the Allegheny, showing the roadway and the south tower.
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Plaque on the North Shore of the Rachel Carson Bridge.
Images for kids
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The bridge and Pittsburgh skyline as seen from the North Shore
