Hunter Station Bridge

Visit Disappearing Bridge's Page For This Historic Bridge

Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Hunter Station Bridge	Truss	US-62	Forest County, PA	Hunter	Allegheny River

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Structure Length	Deck Width
1934	1050 Feet	32 Feet

This is a very interesting bridge, mainly because the road runs through the middle of the truss structure. See the above picture to see what I mean. This was done supposedly to give the road more clearance in the event of a flood. The different position of the road changed the way the bridge was built. The portal bracing is small and simple above the roadway, since there was no room for anything more extravagant. Sway bracing above the roadway is also simple. Under the bridge the rest of the bracing that stabilizes the structure can be found, much like a deck truss. The simple bracing, as well as the non-camelback shape of the bridge gives this bridge a square tunnel feel when you cross it. A deck truss approach is present on the bridge as well. No guardrails are present on the road, and original guardrails are present on the sidewalk. This bridge was listed as a "half-through" style truss bridge in this historic bridge inventory, which fails to recognize how unusual this bridge is.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 1934, 6 span, 1050'-long bridge has 3, riveted Pratt half thru truss main spans (3 @ 276'), a riveted Warren with verticals deck truss span (1 @ 122'), and two steel stringer approach spans (2 @ 50'). The heavy trusses are composed of built up members. Designed by the state highway department, the bridge uses common technologies. The only unusual feature of the main span is the placement of the floorbeams at the midpoint of the verticals rather than at the lower panel points. The half thru truss type was used to keep the bridge deck above the flood stage of the river without having to construct high river piers. It is not innovative. The bridge is neither historically nor technologically significant.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane road and a sidewalk over a river. To the west is forested and sparsely developed. At the east end is a golf course on the outskirts of the village of Hunter. The area does not have historic district potential.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No