|
Key Facts |
Bridge Name | Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
| Mercer Street Bridge | Truss | Mercer Street | Crawford County, PA | Meadville | French Creek |
|
Technical Facts |
|
Construction Date |
Rehabilitation Date |
Structure Length | Deck Width |
| 1936 | 2003 | 221 Feet | 32 Feet |
I did not visit this bridge on my first rain-drenched trip to Pennsylvania in 2003 because it was being painted and was all covered up. My second trip in 2006 revealed that they had selected a wild blue color for the bridge. The color seems a bit odd for a bridge, but I appreciate seeing a bridge color on a bridge. I get tired of seeing restored bridges painted dark colors like black, brown, and dark green. Sometimes you might want the bridge to blend in with the surrounding trees and such, but sometimes I think it is a good idea to paint the bridge something visible, so the bridge stands out. After all, the truss bridge is a work of geometric art, and it deserves to be visible. Compare this to the Price Road Bridge, which is essentially rendered invisible during the summer. One thing though is that part of the fun of visiting truss bridges is the variety, not just in design but in color as well. It is nice too see a variety of paint colors during a bridge hunt. The Mercer Street Bridge might be a bit too much for some people though! I was happy while I was here though, as it was getting dark, and the bright paint was very helpful!
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The 1936, riveted, single span, 221'-long, Parker thru truss bridge is supported on concrete abutments with flared, stepped wingwalls. Built to a state highway department standard design, the bridge is an example of a common technology with no innovative or distinctive details. It was part of the rebuilding efforts following the devastating 1936 St. Patrick's Day flood. Over 275 bridges, mostly in the western and central portions of Pennsylvania, were destroyed or damaged beyond repair. To replace them the department turned to established technologies like riveted metal truss bridges, which had been used in the state since about 1900. The bridge is neither historically nor technologically significant. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries a 2 lane street over a stream on the south edge of Meadville, southeast of the National Register-listed Meadville Downtown Historic District. The bridge is separated from it by an area dominated by post-WW II commercial and industrial development along SR 19. To the north are a parking lot and a 1960s office building. To the south is a neighborhood of undistinguished, predominantly early 20th century houses with scattered commercial buildings. Most houses have modern siding and altered windows. The area adjacent to the bridge does not have historic district potential. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No |
