Smithton Low-Level Bridge

Bridge in South Huntingdon Township and Rostraver Township

40°09′25″N 79°44′41″W / 40.15694°N 79.74472°W / 40.15694; -79.74472CarriesTwo lanes of

PA 981CrossesYoughiogheny RiverLocaleSouth Huntingdon Township and Rostraver TownshipCharacteristicsDesigngirder bridgeTotal length721 feet (220 m)Width28 feet (8.5 m)HistoryOpened1986Location Map

The Smithton Low-Level Bridge is a structure that carries Pennsylvania Route 981 across the Youghiogheny River between South Huntingdon Township and Rostraver Township, just south of Smithton, Pennsylvania.

The previous structure on this site was a cantilever bridge built in 1900 to connect Smithton, which was then thriving due to its brewery, with residences on the west bank of the river; a state court ruled in favor of petitioners who demanded the creation of a bridge, but ordered that they contribute $1,200 in construction costs.^[1] Until the completion of the Smithton High-Level Bridge in 1956 (which eventually became part of busy Interstate 70), this structure was one of the most important vehicular crossings of the river. In 1986, the original bridge was replaced by a modern girder bridge.

References

^ Spero, Paula A. C. (1987). "Smithton Bridge" (PDF). Historic American Engineering Record. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. p. 2. Retrieved January 29, 2014.