| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| McArdle Roadway Viaduct | P.J. McArdle Roadway Over Railroad (Norfolk Southern) | Pittsburgh: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania | Metal Riveted Parker Through Truss, Stationary | 1933 By: Unknown |
| Technical Facts |
| Rehabilitation Date | Structure Length | Main Span Length | Roadway Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| 1960 | 548 Feet (167 Meters) | 220 Feet (67 Meters) | 27 Feet (8.2 Meters) | 1 | 11 Steel Stringer |
This is a bridge that is truly an example of what makes Pittsburgh the unique city it is, since this is a bridge that was built alongside and runs up a steep hillside, while also crossing railroad tracks along the way, accounting for the Parker truss main span. The ten panel Parker truss is obviously the main attraction, however the curved approach system is very impressive to see as well. Although a smaller bridge than the bridges on the big three rivers in Pittsburgh, this bridge remains a highly visible structure since it is easy to spot from various places in and near downtown as it runs along the hillside. Because it is such a visible and attractive part of the area landscape, the preservation of this structure is essential. Unfortunately, the bridge has not been maintained and the structure is in poor condition, particularly in terms of the steel bent supports for the approach spans. Temporary false work has been added to support parts of this approach spans, and the bridge has been lowered to the 3 ton weight limit which is the lowest weight limit generally seen for a bridge open to traffic. Despite these problems, this bridge could and should be restored. Some parts might require replacement, but if they were done with in-kind materials, and if the main truss span was preserved, this bridge could continue to help define Pittsburgh's landscape as well as serve as a functional structure.
However, the city of Pittsburgh (perhaps encouraged by fund-providing and pro-demolition PennDOT) plans to destroy this historic bridge in 2009. This is a poor decision, since the structure is a significant part of the beautiful collection of historic bridges that makes Pittsburgh perhaps the top city for historic bridges. If the city decides that demolishing these bridges is without consequence, Pittsburgh will begin to lose that distinction.
This bridge also offers a decent view of the Tenth Street Bridge and much of downtown.
The bridge passes under the McArdle Roadway Pedestrian Overpass.
