Bridges (Was Article from the old Pittsburgh Sun Telegraph)

[brathke at juno.com]

I believe that the bridge was closed to automobile traffic for an
extended time, certainly long enough to install the new roadway panels,
but trolley traffic was probably disrupted for a shorter time.  I was
photographing PAT trolleys routes rather extensively in the summer of
1966 (routes 39 and 40 were to be bussed in September, as would all the
East End routes on weekends), but usually I took some photos of the
Smithfield St. Bridges routes as I drove to these other route locations. 
I took photos of the tunnel route cars on 2nd Avenue in September and
October, 1966, so I suspect that the trolleys could have been rerouted
only in those months.

Route 50 was discontinued in early 1966, so it wasn't involved in the
1966 bridge rebuilding.  However, there were probably other (pre-1966)
times when 50-Carson St. cars used the 10th St. Bridge for various
reasons (e.g., fire rerouting).  The historical information I have from
the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation also indicates that the
Smithfield bridge was rebuilt several times over the years.

Bob 9/24

----------------------------------------------------------

On Sun, 24 Sep 2000 08:29:02 -0700 mrb190 <mrb190+ at pitt.edu> writes:
> For approximately how long was the Smithfield Bridge closed?
> That would have been a lot of car routes crossing the 10th!   I 
> can't say
> for sure right now, but I think I saw a 50
> Carson-turning-onto-the-10th-Street-Bridge photo, and that would 
> explain
> it.  The 50 always started its Carson run at Smithfield & Carson, 
> not many
> blocks away at 10th Street.
> 
> Matt
> 
> brathke at juno.com wrote:
> 
> > When the Smithfield St. Bridge was being rebuilt in 1966, PAT 
> trolleys
> > to/from downtown reached the tunnel via Ross St., 2nd Avenue, 10th 
> St.
> > Bridge and Carson St.  I'm not sure when trolley traffic stopped 
> using
> > the 10th St. Bridge.
> >
> > Bob 9/23
> >
> > --------------------------------------
> >
> > On Sat, 23 Sep 2000 19:03:01 -0700 Kenneth Josephson
> > <kjosephson at sprintmail.com> writes:
> > >
> > >
> > > brathke at juno.com wrote:
> > >
> > > > I remember a time in the 1970's when no more than one trolley 
> was
> > > allowed
> > > > on each span at the same time.
> > >
> > > The following may be one for Harold or Ed........ :-)
> > >
> > > I have always read and have been told PAT retained the "over the
> > > hill"
> > > trackage (now Route 52) just in case an emergency closed the 
> tunnel.
> > > Considering the information presented in this discussion thread, 
> did
> > > PAT
> > > consider retaining another bridge crossing just in case the
> > > Smithfield span
> > > had to be closed or perhaps if more serious weight restrictions 
> had
> > > to be
> > > imposed? Ken J.
> > >
> >
> > -----------------------
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> > -----------------------
> >
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-----------------------
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