| Key Facts |
| Bridge Name | Facility Carried / Feature Intersected | Location | Structure Type | Construction Date / Builder or Contractor |
| Seward Railroad Overpass | PA-56 and PA-711 Over Railroad (Norfolk Southern / Amtrak) | Seward: Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania | Metal Riveted Polygonal Warren Pony Truss, Stationary | 1930 By: American Bridge Company of New York, New York |
| Technical Facts |
| Rehabilitation Date | Structure Length | Main Span Length | Roadway Width | Bridge Width | Main Spans | Approach Spans |
| c. 1985 | 417 Feet (127.1 Meters) | 106 Feet (32.3 Meters) | 24 Feet (7.3 Meters) | 32 Feet (9.75 Meters) | 1 | 6 Steel Stringer |
It often seems like Pennsylvania has more through trusses than pony trusses, due to all the large rivers. This bridge crosses a railroad line and is in fact a pony truss, and as such is a quality representation of a 1930s pony truss in Pennsylvania. The deck and railings have been altered, particularly on the approach, but the trusses retain integrity.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The skewed, 417'-long bridge consists of a 106' long riveted Warren pony truss with a polygonal upper chord span and 7 rolled stringer approach spans (2 @ 35.6', 1 @ 49', 1 @ 51.9', 1@ 52.11', and 1 @ 54.11'); 6 to the west of the truss span and 1 to the east. The trusses are traditionally composed with built up members. The substructure consists of concrete abutments and concrete column and cap beam bents. The safety shape barriers date to ca. 1985. The bridge is an example of common technologies and is not technologically significant, but it appears to be significant in association with the Pennsylvania RR main line. The bridge was designed and built by the railroad on the eve of its long period of decline. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries a 2 lane road with one sidewalk over the former PRR main line railroad and a borough road near the intersection of SR 56 and 711 near the borough of Seward. Two other railroad tracks have been removed. PHMC has determined the PRR main line from the New Jersey to the Ohio state lines an eligible resource, but no period of significance or rating of evaluation of contributing and noncontributing resources was done as part of the determination. The bridge is outside of Seward and is not part of a potential historic district. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes, By Association With Railroad |
