US-6 / US-19 Meadville Bridge

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: July 1, 2006

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
US-6 / US-19 Meadville Bridge	Truss	US-6/19	Crawford County, PA	Rural (Near Meadville)	French Creek

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Rehabilitation Date	Structure Length	Main Spans	Deck Width	Contractor
1937	1983	300 Feet	2	36 Feet	J. Lee Plumer

This bridge is one of three similar bridges on US-6 / US-19 occurring within a fairly short distance. The other two are the one near Saegertown, and the one near Venango.

Of the three bridges, this is the least skewed of those. It still has a slight skew though. This bridge should be preserved and not demolished (as I am sure PennDOT will want to do eventually) because these three bridges together create a unique driving experience unlike that found anywhere else. Beyond the beauty, these bridges are plenty wide enough for modern traffic. The lack of dents on the portal bracing also suggests that most trucks can fit under the bridge too. They also have no posted weight limit. With the proper care these bridges could serve traffic for at least another century. It would be nice if PennDOT would give them the chance.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 1937, skewed, 2 span, 300'-long, riveted Pratt thru truss bridge is supported on concrete abutments and piers. In 1983 concrete barriers were placed inside the truss lines. The bridge, built to a state highway department standard design, is an example of a common technology used since ca. 1895. It has no innovative or distinctive details. It was part of the rebuilding efforts following the devastating 1936 St. Patrick's Day flood when over 275 bridges were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. The bridge is neither historically nor technologically significant. Nor is the highway historically significant. Although now designated US 6, it was not a part of the original highway developed across Pennsylvania's northern tier. In the 1910s and 1920s it was part of SR 5, promoted as the Lakes to the Sea Highway, one of the many tourist trails in the state. Following the adoption of the federal numbering system in 1926 it was renumbered SR 19. It was redesignated as part of US 6 following WW II.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane highway with shoulders over a stream in a sparsely developed, rural area with scattered 20th century residences, some now used as commercial establishments, and most built since WW II. The area does not have historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No