Fort Pitt Incline

The Fort Pitt Incline was a funicular railway that extended 350 feet along a 135-foot elevation gain between Second Avenue and Bluff Street in Pittsburgh. This steep transport system connected the industrial riverfront area with the elevated residential neighborhood above.

The funicular began operations in 1882 and served commuters for roughly two decades before closing in 1900. A fire destroyed the abandoned infrastructure three years later.

The funicular served as a vital link for workers moving between the industrial riverfront and residential neighborhoods on the elevated Bluff. It shaped how Pittsburgh residents traveled and lived across different elevations of the city.

Today, public steps mark the former route of the incline, ascending from the Armstrong Tunnel south portal to the Boulevard of the Allies. Visitors can walk this path to follow the historical trajectory on foot.

The system initially relied on gravity for downhill movement and mules for uphill transport, a clever solution that combined natural forces with animal power. This hybrid approach made it an innovative experiment in 19th-century transportation engineering.

Location: Pittsburgh

Official opening: 1882

GPS coordinates: 40.43470,-79.98920

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:23