Fort Duquesne Bridge (I-279) - Pittsburgh, PA
Posted by: 
DaveGoliath
N 40° 26.661 W 080° 00.553
17T E 584022 N 4477549
The Fort Duquesne Bridge in Pittsburgh, PA
Waymark Code: WM6DX8
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 05/18/2009
Views: 17
The Fort Duquesne Bridge is a steel tied arch bridge that spans the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was colloquially referred to as the "Bridge to Nowhere". It was constructed from 1958-1963 by PennDOT, and opened for traffic October 17, 1969 with its predecessor Manchester Bridge (located closer to the tip of Point State Park) closing that same day (it was demolished in the autumn of 1970). The bridge was given the name "The Bridge to Nowhere" because the main span was finished in 1963, but due to delays in acquiring right of ways for the northern approach ramps, it did not connect on the north side of the Allegheny River.
The lack of approach ramps meant the bridge ended in midair, rendering it useless. The northwestern ramps were completed in 1969, allowing access to Pennsylvania Route 65.
The northeastern ramps were completed in 1986, with the construction of the northern section of Interstate 279 (North Shore Expressway) which runs a half moon through Downtown Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle and north and south towards Interstate 79.
The bridge touches down halfway between Heinz Field and PNC Park Baseball Stadium on the City's North Shore.
Length of bridge: 400 ft.
Height of bridge: 42 ft.
What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Motor Vehicles
What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
Allegheny River
Date constructed: 10/16/1969 (completed)
Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes
Name of road or trail the bridge services: I-279
Location:
Pittsburgh, PA
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