West End Bridge (Pittsburgh) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West End Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 40°26′47″N 80°01′37″W / 40.44631°N 80.02699°W |
| Carries | 4 lanes of  US 19Two Pedestrian Walkways |
| Crosses | Ohio River |
| Locale | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Official name | Allegheny County Bridge No 3 Ohio River |
| Other name(s) | West End-North Side Bridge |
| Maintained by | PennDOT |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Bowstring arch bridge |
| Material | steel |
| Total length | 1,978.75 feet (603.12 m) |
| Width | 755.0 feet (230.1 m) |
| Longest span | 780 feet (240 m) |
| Piers in water | 1 |
| Clearance below | 66 feet (20 m);73 feet (22 m) (When built) |
| History | |
| Construction cost | $3,640,000 |
| Opened | December 2, 1932 |
| Statistics | |
| Daily traffic | 32,000 |
| Designated: | 1979 |
| Designated: | 2001 |
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The West End Bridge is a cool steel bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It stretches across the Ohio River, about a mile downstream from where the Allegheny River and Monongahela River meet. This bridge is a special type called a bowstring arch bridge, which looks like a bow and arrow.
It was built between 1930 and 1932. The main parts were put together by the American Bridge Company, and the foundations were done by the Foundation Company. What makes it super special is that it was the first large bridge in the world to use something called "tied-arch technology." This design helps the bridge hold its weight and stay strong.
The West End Bridge connects two parts of Pittsburgh: the West End and the Chateau neighborhood on the North Side. Because of its unique design and history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. It also became a Historic Landmark in 2001.
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Building the West End Bridge
The West End Bridge was a big project that took two years to complete. It opened to traffic on December 2, 1932. The total cost to build this impressive structure was about $3.64 million, which was a lot of money back then!
This bridge is important because it carries four lanes of U.S. Route 19 traffic. It also has two walkways for people to cross safely. Imagine how many cars and people use it every day! About 32,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily.
What is a Bowstring Arch Bridge?
A bowstring arch bridge gets its name because it looks like an archer's bow. The main arch acts like the bow, and a horizontal beam below it acts like the bowstring. These two parts work together to support the bridge deck.
The West End Bridge is also a "tied-arch" bridge. This means the ends of the arch are "tied" together by the horizontal beam. This design helps push the weight of the bridge downwards, making it very stable and strong. It was a very advanced way to build bridges when it was first used on this scale.
Pedestrian Walkway Project
In 2006, a group called the Riverlife Task Force held a contest. They wanted ideas for a new pedestrian bridge that would attach to the West End Bridge. The goal was to make it easier and safer for people to walk or bike across the Ohio River.
They wanted a design that would look amazing and connect the neighborhoods on both sides of the river. This new walkway would let people enjoy the waterfront without having to cross busy roads. The winning design came from a team that included Endres Ware (now Endrestudio) and other expert companies.
Images for kids
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Looking downstream
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Looking upstream
