Bridges of Allegheny County
The spectacular spans of our region Whether they're crossing chasms, spanning rivers or connecting communities, bridges have always been the metaphoric heart of Pittsburgh. Their architects and builders—from 18th-century military pragmatists to the best design firms in the world—have expanded the art of the possible, from the humble to the magnificent, from arch to suspension to truss. Presented here is the work of photographer John Beale, who for the past year has documented the bridges of our region.
george westinghouse memorial bridge, 1932 East Pittsburgh to North Versailles over Turtle Creek. The bridge rises nearly 240 ft. and includes the longest reinforced concrete arch in the U.S. (owned by PennDOT) 
Birmingham Bridge, 1976 Steel tied arch over the Monongahela River, South Side. It was built to hold the heavy traffic of a highway system that never materialized. In Feb. 2008, problems with the rocker bearings supporting the girders on the north end of the main arch caused the bridge to be closed for several weeks until a temporary support was constructed. (owned by PennDOT) 
sixteenth street bridge, 1923 Steel tied arch from North Side to the Strip District over the Allegheny River. The bottom of the bridge consists of eyebars; the top of the arches are trusses. Ornate bronze spheres and winged horses by New York sculptor Leo Lentelli sit atop the cut-stone pylons at each shore. (owned by Allegheny County) 
george d. stuart bridge, 1952 Tarentum to New Kensington over the Allegheny River. Steel cantilever deck truss. (Deck truss means the traffic is carried across the top of the truss; through truss means the traffic is carried along the bottom of the truss.) (owned by PennDOT)
w.d. mansfield memorial bridge, 1951 From Dravosburg to McKeesport/Glassport over the Monongahela River. Cantilever through truss. (Railroad bridge in background). (owned by Allegheny County) 
lake elizabeth bridge, 1966 Cast concrete; Allegheny Commons Park, North Side. The redevelopment of Lake Elizabeth in the 1960s was overseen by the Pittsburgh landscape design firm of Modernist John Ormsbee Simonds and included an island and two bridges. Today, Kayak Pittsburgh offers beginner lessons on this shallow lake—just 3 ft. deep. (owned by City of Pittsburgh)
smithfield street bridge, 1883 Downtown to the South Side over the Monongahela River. A steel lenticular (or ‘bowstring’) truss. The bridge is the largest of its type in the U.S., and one of the few of its type in the world. Decorative spiny spires sit atop the piers at the ends of the truss spans. (owned by PennDOT) 
mckees rocks bridge, 1931 From Ohio River Blvd. to McKees Rocks over the Ohio River. The main span is a through arch, with deck truss spans on each end of the main river span. Entire length of the bridge is 7,300 ft. (owned by PennDOT) 
tri-boro expressway This steel-welded girder bridge in East Pittsburgh is expected to be completed in late 2010. An iron worker climbs the structure where three ramps of roadway come together as a bridge. (owned by PennDOT) 
sixth and seventh bridges, 1928 Suspension bridges over the Allegheny River. These “sister bridges” are now officially known as the Roberto Clemente and Andy Warhol bridges, respectively. Due to the upper portions being made of steel eyebars instead of the cables usually used in suspension bridges, these were the first of their type in the U.S. The image was shot from a third, matching bridge, the Ninth Street, or Rachel Carson Bridge. (owned by Allegheny County) 
Jonathon Hulton Bridge, 1908 Steel through-truss construction over the Allegheny River, Oakmont. Named for an early Oakmont-area landowner, this bridge is known for its unusual pale lavender color. (owned by PennDOT) 
