31st Street Bridge, Deck arch bridge in Pittsburgh, United States
The 31st Street Bridge is a steel deck arch bridge spanning the Allegheny River with three main arch sections of varying lengths. It carries two traffic lanes and features pedestrian walkways on both sides of the structure.
Fort Pitt Bridge Works constructed this steel bridge in 1928 to replace an earlier structure destroyed by fire in 1921. The construction marked the city's recovery and modernization after that loss.
The bridge displays carved granite ornaments and relief panels on its piers depicting George Washington and early settlement scenes of Pittsburgh. These artistic details tell stories of the city's founding and its most important historical figures.
The bridge is accessible to both vehicles and pedestrians with level walkways on both sides, making passage safe and easy for all users. The best time to explore the structure is during daylight hours to fully appreciate the carved details and the river views.
The northern approach incorporates a through girder span crossing railroad tracks with distinctly spaced girders at each end of this particular section. This engineering detail makes the bridge a noteworthy example of how industrial infrastructure was adapted to complex site conditions.
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