Smithton Low-Level Bridge

Smithton Low-Level Bridge
Coordinates 40°09′25″N 79°44′41″W / 40.15694°N 79.74472°W / 40.15694; -79.74472Coordinates: 40°09′25″N 79°44′41″W / 40.15694°N 79.74472°W / 40.15694; -79.74472
Carries Two lanes of PA 981
Crosses Youghiogheny River
Locale South Huntingdon Township and Rostraver Township
Characteristics
Design girder bridge
Total length 721 feet (220 m)
Width 28 feet (8.5 m)
History
Opened 1986

The Smithton Low-Level Bridge is a structure that carries Pennsylvania Route 981 across the Youghiogheny River between South Huntingdon Township and Rostraver Township, just south of Smithton, Pennsylvania.

The previous structure on this site was a cantilever bridge built in 1900 to connect Smithton, which was then thriving due to its brewery, with residences on the west bank of the river; a state court ruled in favor of petitioners who demanded the creation of a bridge, but ordered that they contribute $1,200 in construction costs.[1] Until the completion of the Smithton High-Level Bridge in 1956 (which eventually became part of busy Interstate 70), this structure was one of the most important vehicular crossings of the river. In 1986, the original bridge was replaced by a modern girder bridge.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Spero, Paula A. C. (1987). "Smithton Bridge" (PDF). Historic American Engineering Record. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. p. 2. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
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