Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge

The Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge carries 11th Street over the Ohio River between Ambridge and Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

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Long before a permanent bridge spanned the Ohio River, Ambridge and Woodlawn relied on an industrial ferry to move workers and materials between the two boroughs. The construction of the Ambridge–Woodlawn Bridge in the 1920s reflected the region’s rapid industrial growth and the need for a reliable fixed crossing.

History

Before a permanent crossing was built, the boroughs of Ambridge and Woodlawn were linked by a ferry operated by the Jones & Laughlin tin plant in Woodlawn. ¹¹ As early as May 1914, proposals were advanced for a second ferry, ¹⁰ but rapid industrial growth—particularly at the American Bridge Company works in Ambridge—created strong demand for a fixed river crossing. ⁹

By 1917, planners had narrowed their considerations to four bridge proposals: ⁹

• A bridge connecting Ambridge and Woodlawn at an estimated cost of $738,000
• A bridge connecting Baden and Aliquippa at an estimated cost of $936,000
• A suspension bridge connecting Ambridge and Woodlawn at an estimated cost of $525,000
• A suspension bridge connecting Baden and Aliquippa at an estimated cost of $665,000

These plans were set aside with the onset of World War I. The project was revived in the 1920s, and on November 20, 1924, Beaver County commissioners met with the Army Corps of Engineers to advance the proposal. ¹² A $1.5 million bond issue was subsequently approved by county voters. On December 12, Congressman Thomas W. Phillips introduced enabling legislation in Congress, which was passed in February 1925. ⁴ Federal approval for the crossing followed in September. ¹³

The construction contract was awarded to the American Bridge Company. ¹⁵ The design incorporated cantilevered Baltimore through trusses, a Warren through truss, and two stringer spans. Fabrication was carried out at the company’s Aliquippa Works at a cost of $609,000.

Construction

On February 8, 1926, a $145,400 contract to construct the Woodlawn piers was awarded to the Dravo Contracting Company. ⁶ The work included realignment of the Ambridge approach to 11th Street and was scheduled for completion by July 1. Pier construction was completed on August 14. ¹⁶

Approval for placing falsework in the river for the erection of the main span was granted to American Bridge on August 4, with the requirement that a clear navigation channel of 530 feet be maintained at all times. ¹⁵ Steel erection began on August 15 and was slated for completion by November 15. The steel superstructure was erected at a cost of $337,500.

The Ambridge–Woodlawn Bridge, constructed at a final cost of $570,648 ³ to $750,000, ² opened to traffic on December 11, 1927, later than originally planned. Earlier opening dates of May 1 ^{8 17} and July 4 ⁵ had been announced but were not met. Formal dedication ceremonies were held on December 29, drawing an estimated crowd of 10,000 people and a two-mile line of vehicles along the Woodlawn approach. ³ A figure of George Washington was installed on one end of the bridge to commemorate his activities in Beaver County, while a life-size statue of a World War I doughboy, funded by the local American Legion post, was placed at the opposite end. ¹⁸

Renovations

Beginning in December 2011, the bridge—by then known as the Ambrose–Aliquippa Bridge—underwent a $16.6 million rehabilitation by the Trumbull Corporation. ¹⁹ The project required extended closures from March to November 2012 and again from March to November 2013. ^{20 21}

Rehabilitation work included abrasive blasting and repainting of the substructure and superstructure, steel repairs to spans two through six, replacement and repair of gusset plates, full deck replacement, installation of new parapets, repairs to piers one and nine and both abutments, and the installation of new expansion dams. ^{20 21}

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Gallery

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Details

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Sources

1. Holth, Nathan. “Ambridge Bridge.” HistoricBridges.org, 1 Jul. 2014, article.
2. “Inter-borough Bridge Opening Break ‘Settled’.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 12 Dec. 1927, p. 3.
3. “Ambridge Span Is Officially Thrown Open.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 30 Dec. 1927, p. 7.
4. “Ambridge-Woodlawn Bridge is Authorized.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 22 Feb. 1925, p. D10.
5. Gordon, Gertrude. “Ambridge Proud of New Bridge Which Will Link Industrial Borough With Woodlawn.” Pittsburgh Press, 17 Mar. 1927, p. 40.
6. “Over-Night Briefs.” Daily Notes [Canonsburg], 9 Feb. 1926, p. 3.
7. “Ambridge-Woodlawn Bridge Bill Offered by T.W. Phillips.” New Castle News, 12 Dec. 1924, p. 33.
8. “New Bridge Will Open on May 1.” Evening Review [East Liverpool], 15 Mar. 1927, p. 3.
9. “News of Rivers.” Pittsburgh Daily Post, 13 Jan. 1917, p. 5.
10. “Pittsburgh Company Increases Stock.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 11 May 1914, p. 6.
11. “Short Lines Making a Protest.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 6 May 1914, p. 12.
12. “Ambridge-Woodlawn Bridge is Proposed.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 21 Nov. 1924, p. 9.
13. “News of Rivers.” Pittsburgh Daily Post, 4 Sept. 1925, p. 17.
14. “News of the Rivers.” Pittsburgh Daily Post, 24 Jul. 1926, p. 21.
15. “News of the Rivers.” Pittsburgh Daily Post, 5 Aug. 1926, p. 16.
16. “News of the Rivers.” Pittsburgh Daily Post, 12 Aug. 1926, p. 19.
17. “New Bridge Will Open On May 1.” Evening Review [East Liverpool], 15 Mar. 1927, p. 3.
18. “New Beaver County Bridge Over Ohio is Near Completion.” New Castle News, 22 Mar. 1927, p. 13.
19. Belculfine, Lexi. “Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge opens for now.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 29 Nov. 2012.
20. Fuoco, Linda Wilson. “Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge reopening delayed.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 31 Oct. 2013.
21. Morgan, Rachel. “Ambridge-Aliquippa Bridge reopens.” Beaver County Times, 14 Nov. 2013.