West Hickory Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Hickory Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 41°34′11″N 79°24′21″W / 41.56972°N 79.40583°W |
| Carries | Two lanes of  PA 127 |
| Crosses | Allegheny River |
| Locale | Harmony Township and Hickory Township |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Girder bridge |
| Total length | 695 ft |
| Width | 32 ft |
| History | |
| Opened | 2007 |
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West Hickory Bridge
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Old West Hickory Bridge, 1982
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| Location | Pennsylvania Route 127 over the Allegheny River at West Hickory, in Hickory Township, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1896 |
| Built by | Groton Bridge Co. |
| Architectural style | Pratt truss |
| MPS | Highway Bridges Owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 88000835 |
| Added to NRHP | June 22, 1988 |
The West Hickory Bridge is a modern bridge that helps cars cross the Allegheny River in Forest County, Pennsylvania. It connects Harmony Township and Hickory Township. This bridge is named after the nearby village of West Hickory.
Contents
What is the West Hickory Bridge?
The West Hickory Bridge is a special type of bridge called a girder bridge. It carries Pennsylvania Route 127, a road that cars use every day. The bridge helps people travel safely over the wide Allegheny River.
The New Bridge: Built in 2007
The bridge you see today was built in 2007. It is a strong and wide bridge, designed for modern traffic. This new bridge has two lanes, making it much easier for cars to pass each other.
The Old Bridge: A Look Back in Time
Before the current bridge, there was an older one built in 1896. This old bridge was a truss bridge, which means it had a frame of triangles to make it strong. It was built by a company called the Groton Bridge Company.
Why Was the Old Bridge Replaced?
The old bridge was only one lane wide. It was designed for horse-drawn carriages and early cars, not the many vehicles we have today. Even though not many cars used it (about 900 per day), it was getting old and needed to be replaced to keep everyone safe.
The Old Bridge's Special History
Even though the old bridge was taken down, it was very important. In 1988, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history. It means the old West Hickory Bridge was a special part of the area's past.
Images for kids
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Old West Hickory Bridge, 1982
