Allegheny Aqueduct, Suspension bridge in Pittsburgh, United States
The Allegheny Aqueduct is a suspension bridge crossing the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, built to carry water from one side to the other. It spans the river with multiple sections connected by cable supports that hold up the water channel running through it.
An earlier wooden covered bridge served this crossing starting in 1829 before being replaced by a modern suspension design. The new cable-stayed structure arrived in the 1840s and showcased advanced building techniques for its time.
The aqueduct served as part of Pittsburgh's water supply system, allowing fresh water to reach neighborhoods that relied on it for daily life. This infrastructure was as important to residents as modern utilities are today.
The structure connects 11th Street on the south side of the river with Voeghtly Street on the north, making it part of Pittsburgh's main transportation routes. You can view it best from the riverbanks or by walking along nearby streets that offer clear sightlines to the bridge.
The bridge was an engineer's first attempt at this building method, and he would go on to design many similar structures that changed how bridges were built across America. This early project became a proving ground for techniques that shaped the nation's infrastructure.
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