Homestead Grays Bridge

Courtesy of PixOnTrax

21 December 2006

Location:
Homestead Grays Bridge, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Description:

The Homestead Grays Bridge, also referred to as the (Homestead) High Level Bridge, was constructed in 1936 to span the Monongahela River, connecting Homestead Borough with the southernmost point of Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood. It holds historical significance as the pioneer bridge incorporating the Wichert Truss design, characterized by quadrilateral shapes over each support, rendering the truss statically determinate for precise calculation of structural forces. Few Wichert Truss bridges endure today, with Pittsburgh hosting another example, the Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge.

Dedicated on November 20, 1937, the bridge was a substantial investment for Allegheny County, amounting to $2.75 million. Originally accommodating four highway lanes and two streetcar tracks of the Pittsburgh Railways Company, it replaced the 1897 Brown's Bridge (Homestead and Highland Bridge), which previously connected Brown's Hill Rd on the north bank to Second Avenue between Ann Street and Amity Street in Homestead.

On July 11, 2002, the bridge underwent a renaming ceremony, becoming the Homestead Grays Bridge in homage to the renowned Homestead Grays baseball team. Over time, the bridge had deteriorated, prompting a comprehensive rehabilitation effort from 2006 to 2007. This endeavor involved removing the deck, stripping the structure down to steel, performing necessary repairs, and installing a new, wider deck. The enhanced deck now features expanded traffic lanes and pedestrian walkways on both sides, while historically-inspired railings and lighting fixtures were integrated, accompanied by a fresh coat of blue-grey paint rejuvenating the entire structure.