US-6 / US-19 Venango Bridge

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Key Facts

Bridge Name	Type	Road	Location	City	Crossing
Venango Bridge	Truss	US-6/19	Crawford County, PA	Venango	French Creek

Technical Facts

Construction Date	Structure Length	Main Spans	Deck Width
1934	295 Feet	2	42 Feet

This bridge is one of three similar bridges on US-6 / US-19 occurring within a fairly short distance. The other two are the one near Meadville, and the one near Saegertown.

There are a couple bridges in this area like this bridge, both with no v-lacing on vertical or diagonal members, and both non-camelback This bridge has a noticeable skew to it. Original lattice guardrails remain on the pedestrian sidewalk. The large portal bracing as well as sway bracing is v-laced. This bridge may be newer than other massive bridges like the Tidioute Bridge, based on the lack of v-lacing and the width of the roadway. It is nevertheless a very beautiful bridge and is something you would never find back in Michigan.

Information and Findings From Pennsylvania's Historic Bridge Inventory

Discussion of Bridge

The 1934, skewed, riveted, 2 span, 295'-long, Pratt thru truss bridge is supported on concrete abutments and piers. The trusses have rolled section verticals and diagonals and built up lower and upper chords. The bridge has no innovative or distinctive details. Built to a state highway department standard design used with great frequency since the mid 1920s, the bridge is an undistinguished example of a common technology. Nor is the highway historically significant. Although now designated US 6, it was not a part of the original highway developed across Pennsylvania's northern tier. In the 1910s and 1920s it was part of SR 5, promoted as the Lakes to the Sea Highway, one of the many tourist trails in the state. Following the adoption of the federal numbering system in 1926 it was renumbered SR 19. Its was redesignated as part of US 6 following WW II.

Discussion of Surrounding Area

The bridge carries a 2 lane highway with shoulders and a sidewalk over a stream at the Venango borough-Cambridge township line. The area does not have historic district district potential. The bridge is not contiguous with the developed portion of Venango borough. To the north are more scattered, predominantly post-WW II residences.

Bridge Considered Historic By Survey: No