Greenfield Bridge
| Greenfield Bridge | |
|---|---|
| File:Interstate 376 - Pennsylvania (8461456052) (2).jpg | |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Official name | Beechwood Boulevard Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Concrete |
| Total length | 466' total length |
| Width | 36'7" roadway and sidewalks |
| History | |
| Architect | Stanley L. Roush |
| Designer | Charles M. Reppert |
| Construction end | December 1922 |
| Construction cost | $370,000 |
| Opened | 1923 |
| Rebuilt | 2017 (planned) |
| Closed | 2015 |
The Greenfield Bridge, officially known as the Beechwood Boulevard Bridge, was a concrete arch bridge located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.[1] The bridge spanned the Parkway East (I-376) between the Greenfield and Oakland neighborhoods.
History
The Greenfield Bridge was originally constructed in 1921-1923.[2] It was completed by December 1922, but some of the approaches still needed to be filled in. The final cost was $370,000.[3]
By the late 1980s, the bridge had begun to enter decline. In September 1989 debris from the bridge impacted cars, injuring three. By this point nets had been placed under the bridge.[4] A city engineer said he suspected vandals may have thrown the concrete, but one of the drivers said they were watching the bridge after they were forced to stop and saw no one on the bridge.[5]
The bridge was imploded on December 28, 2015 at 9:20 am.[6] The inbound side of I-376 reopened to traffic on the 31st, a day ahead of schedule. However, the outbound side suffered damage despite a protective layer of dirt placed under the bridge for the implosion and its reopening was delayed.[7]
In popular culture
The bridge was mentioned on the March 1, 2015 episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver concerning infrastructure.[8]
- "And it's not just Philadelphia, look at Pittsburgh - The City of Bridges - and its solution to one that was dangerously deteriorated. ... They built a bridge under the bridge. That is a college sophomore approach to structural engineering. 'Yeah the trash was overflowing so I just started putting it in the microwave - problem solved, I'm a legend'."[9]
References
- ↑ http://phlf.org/2013/02/01/beechwood-boulevard-greenfield-bridge-to-be-replaced/
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Boulevard Bridge To Be Opened to the Public This Month", December 9, 1922; page 1
- ↑ The Indiana Gazette "Chunks of Bridge Damage Cars" September 16, 1989; page 1
- ↑ The Indiana Gazette "Chunks Fell Off Bridge, Says Driver" September 19, 1989; page 3
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Season 2, Episode 4
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to [[commons:Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).|Lua error in Module:WikidataIB at line 506: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]. |
- The Infrastructure Last Week Tonight with John Oliver episode on YouTube (Starts at Greenfield Bridge segment)
- Destruction of Greenfield Bridge on YouTube
- The Greenfield Bridge at Historicbridges.org.
- Beechwood Boulevard Bridge at Pghbridges.com
_(2).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}