Wayne Street Viaduct

This Bridge is in Danger!

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: July 2, 2006

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Wayne Street Viaduct	Plate Girder	Wayne Street (SR-356)	Butler County, PA	Butler	Railroad (B&LE RR, B&P RR), Connoquenessing Creek, Cliff Street

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Rehabilitation Date	Structure Length	Main Spans	Approach Spans	Deck Width	Minimum Vertical Underclearance	Builder
1915	1953	865 Feet	12	19	49 Feet	20 Feet	F.M. Harper / Fort Pitt Bridge Company

During my trip in Pennsylvania, I did not have a lot of time to photograph non-truss structures, but for this structure I made an exception, since demolition is planned for this large and historic structure, which is a very long multi-span deck plate girder. It is a fairly old example of the structure type, with a 1915 construction date. It retains original railings, which have decorative posts. The bridge features a curve in the structure as the road changes direction. It features steel supports which have v-lacing on them. I was surprised to see that the Pennsylvania historic bridge inventory considered this bridge historic, but that apparently is not enough to save the bridge from demolition.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 865'-long steel deck girder viaduct, built in 1915, has 12 main spans and is supported on a substructure composed of built up column bents. The viaduct was determined eligible as a contributing resource to the Butler Industrial Historic District.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The viaduct carries a 2 lane street and 2 sidewalks over tracks associated with the Bessemer & Lake Erie RR, the B&P RR, the Connoquenessing Creek, and Cliff Street in an industrial area of Butler. The viaduct contributes to the potential Butler Industrial Historic District.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: Yes (Contributing to Butler Industrial Historic District)