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Key Facts |
Bridge Name |
Type | Road | Location | City | Crossing |
East Brady Bridge |
Truss |
SR-68 |
Armstrong County / Clarion County, PA |
East Brady |
Allegheny River |
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Technical Facts |
|
Construction Date |
Rehabilitation Date |
Structure Length | Deck Width |
| 1934 | 1973 | 771 Feet | 27.7 Feet |
The only thing that Pennsylvania and Preservation have in common is the same first letter!
This bridge was a four span Pratt through truss with riveted connections. Each span contained eight panels. This bridge may not have been the most historically original bridge around, but surely it had a history, and an interesting one at that. This bridge did not deserve to be demolished; it should instead have been restored. Half of the bridge was original, however the other half was rebuilt when ice tore apart two of the spans. Driving across the bridge, it was easy to note the lack of v-lacing and standard i-beams on the newer spans. Standard structural i-beams made up most of the new trusses. The bridge was still much more attractive than its modern replacement slab is. Gone is the tunnel effect, which was quite good with this bridge, now that the demolition is completed. The bridge looked nice from a distance as well, where the newer spans looked essentially identical to the historic spans. Instead of demolition, a fresh coat of paint and continued use as a pedestrian crossing next to its replacement would really have helped this bridge and the East Brady community a lot.
People had complained that the bridge was narrow with trucks on it. This did not mean the bridge had to be demolished. PennDOT should have built a one-lane bridge next to the truss bridge, forming a one-way couplet. Another option would be to leave the bridge standing for pedestrian use. The historic bridge was not in the way of its replacement when it was demolished. In other words, it was demolished just for the sake of erasing beauty and history from the Allegheny River. A bridge that can hold trucks today certainly can carry pedestrians, even un-repaired, for a number of decades to come. Demolishing this bridge was not just an insult to our history, it was a waste of taxpayer money. Money that could have been put toward restoring the bridge.
On a national scale, the East Brady Bridge was not the most historic truss bridge out there due to its alterations. However, from a local perspective, this bridge acted as a gateway for East Brady, and one of the main attractions in East Brady. It was a very important bridge for East Brady and the counties it bordered. Thus, its preservation should have been undertaken.
Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge InventoryDiscussion of Bridge The skewed, 771'-long, 4 span (1 @ 161', 1 @ 198', 1 @ 199', and 1 @ 197'), riveted Pratt thru truss bridge is supported on an ashlar substructure raised with concrete extensions. The trusses are traditionally composed with rolled section used for the verticals and diagonals. Original bolted connections at the gusset plates have been replaced with high-strength bolts, a modification dating from 1973. The bridge is an example of a state highway department standard design riveted metal truss bridge that was used with great frequency beginning in the mid 1920s. It has no innovative or distinctive details. Approximately 150 riveted truss bridges built between 1925 and 1957 remain statewide. Neither it nor its setting is historically or technologically significant. Discussion of Surrounding Area The bridge carries a 2 lane state highway and a sidewalk over the Allegheny River. The area does not have historic district potential. To the southwest is Bradys Bend, a steep wooded ridge with modular homes in the flood plain. To the northeast is the borough of East Brady. PHMC designated a potential historic there in 1996, but excluded the bridge and the predominantly modern buildings found at the quadrants. Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No |
