Stone Bridge (Johnstown, Pennsylvania)
Stone Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Stone Bridge from the overlook. | |
| Coordinates | 40°19′57″N 78°55′30″W / 40.3325°N 78.9249°W |
| Carries | railroad traffic |
| Crosses | Conemaugh River |
| Locale | Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Official name | Conemaugh River Viaduct |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | arch bridge |
| Material | Stone |
| Total length | 428 feet (130 m) |
| Width | four tracks |
| Longest span | 58 feet (18 m) |
| No. of spans | 7 |
| Piers in water | 4 |
| History | |
| Construction start | 1887 |
| Construction end | 1888 |
| Location | |
 | |
The Stone Bridge spans the Conemaugh River in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The bridge is a seven-arch stone railroad bridge located on the Norfolk Southern mainline, built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1887-88. Its upstream face was reinforced with concrete in 1929.[1] This bridge survived the Johnstown Flood of 1889, but the bridge blocked debris, which subsequently caught fire and created an inferno covering 30 acres (120,000 m2). The bridge is visible from Point Park in downtown Johnstown.
The Stone Bridge Project
The Stone Bridge, located on the edge of Johnstown’s downtown, is an arched bridge built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1887. On May 31, 1889, its seven arches blocked tons of debris carried by the waters of the Johnstown Flood, but the bridge itself withstood the flood’s impact. An enormous fire broke out at the bridge, killing scores of people trapped in the flood debris. The fire would burn for three days.
The bridge is a Johnstown landmark and is still an active railroad bridge with three tracks. Owned by [Norfolk Southern Railroad]], the bridge is located along Route 56, the most heavily traveled road in the region. It is highly visible from Route 56, downtown, JAHA’s newly-established Festival Park, and the restaurant and visitors center above the city at the Inclined Plane. The bridge needs restoration; the stone façade has long since been covered with concrete when an additional track was added to the bridge, and the bridge’s general appearance is poor.
A committee of community leaders developed a bridge restoration project, including cleaning for physical and aesthetic improvements. The concrete on the southern side of the bridge will be resurfaced. The bridge will also be lit using energy-efficient LED lighting that can be adjusted to different colors and intensities. Estimated at $1.2 million, the project was initiated as part of 2008 flood commemorative activities.
Michael Brosig, co-chair of the Stone Bridge Committee, said,
"The significance of the Stone Bridge is that it stood its ground against the flood waters and altered the future of Johnstown completely and forever. It created the backdrop for the event that put Johnstown on the map,” said “Restoring the South facade of that structure and casting LED lighting on it will certainly showcase the triumph of the human spirit in a spectacular style for all to see, enjoy and be proud of their heritage. Based on its strategic location, it is the lynchpin of the historic district of our city."
Consultants on the bridge restoration project include Shadowstone, Inc. of Clifton, New Jersey for the lighting. For the bridge restoration and rehabilitation, the group is working with Pawlowski & Haman Architects, P.C. and H.F. Lenz Co., both of Johnstown.
References
- ^ Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. PA-517, "Pennsylvania Railroad, Conemaugh River Viaduct"
Johnstown Area Heritage Association
External links
