Central Avenue Bridge

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: July 3, 2006

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Central Avenue Bridge	Truss	Central Avenue	Washington County, PA	Canonsburg	Chartiers Creek

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Structure Length	Deck Width	Builder
1934	96 Feet	37 Feet	Unknown

I did not find many massive-membered pony trusses in Pennsylvania, so this bridge was a rather unusual find. This is essentially Pennsylvania's version of Michigan's standard Parker pony truss plan as seen in bridge such as the North Saginaw Bridge. The Central Avenue Bridge is a seven panel structure, and it retains original sidewalk railings. There is lattice under the top chord of this bridge. The bridge, with its arch-shaped top chord and location as an entrance/exit into Canonsburg creates a fitting gateway for the town. The bridge appears to be in good condition, but knowing PennDOT, they may still eventually seek to demolish this attractive structure.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The single-span, 96'-long and 37' wide steel Parker pony truss bridge is supported on reinforced concrete abutments. Sidewalks with a riveted steel railing are cantilevered off both sides of the bridge that was built to a frequently used state standard design in 1934. It has no innovative or distinctive details. Rolled section was used for web members starting in the late 1920s. Neither the bridge nor its setting are historically or technologically significant. Safety shape barriers have been placed inside the truss lines.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a two-lane road with sidewalks over a stream in an area of undistinguished commercial and industrial development in the borough of Canonsburg that has modern commercial structures interspersed among altered early-20th century and post-World War II houses north of the downtown area. The setting does not have historic district potential, and it is not contiguous to the old commercial center.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No