[PRCo] When Did Water Street Become Ft. Pitt Blvd.?

[Bob Rathke]

The Ft. Duquesne Bridge was built in the very early 1960's, but wasn't opened to traffic for several years.  During those years it was known as the "Bridge to Nowhere" and barricades were placed on the downtown side of the bridge roadway since there was a high drop-off at the North Side end of the bridge. However, one motorist managed to drive through the barricades and his car went off the north end of the bridge.  Surprisingly, he wasn't seriously injured. This incident prompted Rege Cordic to begin a running radio skit about the upcoming "Ft. Duquesne Bridge Leap".  

----- Original Message -----

From: "Dwight Long" <dwightlong at verizon.net> 
To: "Western PA Trolley discussion" <pittsburgh-railways at mailman.dementix.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 11:32:34 AM 
Subject: Re: [PRCo] When Did Water Street Become Ft. Pitt Blvd.? 


Ed 

When I was extensively riding PRC trams in the 50s it was still known as Water Street. 

I believe the change took place at or about the time the Parkway was extended through that area. 

A subsidiary question is when did Duquesne Way get its name change?  At the same time? 

Dwight 

From: Edward H. Lybarger 
Sent: Wednesday, 13 November, 2013 09:42 
To: Western PA Trolley discussion 
Subject: [PRCo] When Did Water Street Become Ft. Pitt Blvd.? 
A question has come up regarding the renaming of Water Street, which was 
rebuilt in 1940 to approximately its present configuration.  A local website 
suggests that the name changed then, yet shows the dedication plaque which 
does not include the new name.  Maps from the late 1940s continue to show it 
as Water Street. 

  

Is there a volunteer among the list who would research this in the Google 
newspaper archives?  My own sense is that the Fort Pitt Blvd. name became 
official in the 1950s, but I am unwilling to wager any amount on this! 

  

Thanks, 

Ed 




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