David McCullough Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids David McCullough Bridge |
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| Coordinates | 40°27′6″N 79°59′27″W / 40.45167°N 79.99083°W |
| Carries | 16th Street |
| Crosses | Allegheny River |
| Locale | Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Other name(s) | Sixteenth Street Bridge |
| Maintained by | Allegheny County |
| NRHP # | 79002163 |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 1,996 m (6,549 ft) |
| Width | 41.3 m (135 ft) |
| Longest span | 437 feet (133 m) |
| Clearance below | 41.3 feet (12.6 m) |
| History | |
| Architect | Warren and Wetmore, architects |
| Designer | H.G. Balcom, engineer |
| Designated: | 2001 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002163 |
| Added to NRHP | August 13, 1979 |
The David McCullough Bridge, commonly and historically known as the 16th Street Bridge, is a steel trussed through arch bridge that spans the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The 16th Street Bridge replaced the Mechanics Street Bridge which had been completed at the behest of the State of Pennsylvania in 1838. The 16th Street Bridge was constructed in 1922 with a length of 1,900 feet (580 m) and a width of 40 feet (12 m). The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The 16th Street Bridge is one of the more popular bridges in the city of Pittsburgh and provides easy access to the Strip District and the North Shore.
Days after the disastrous St. Patrick's Day Flood of 1936, reports spread on March 20 that the bridge had collapsed from the pressure of the receding flood waters and debris, prompting Pittsburgh Police Chief Jacob Dorsey to close all city bridges for fear of receding waters and debris weakening or collapsing them. However, the reports were soon discovered to be false.
On July 7, 2013, the structure was named in honor of native historian, author and commentator David McCullough in a bridge ceremony sponsored by Heinz History Center.
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View from above
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View from 31st Street Bridge with downtown in background and Heinz Loft on north bank
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View from Strip District
