PITTSBURGH trip
Aug. 12-13 2024
PART 11
Getting back on the Liberty Bridge.
The Liberty Bridge approaches the Liberty Tunnel.
There was once a roundabout just before the tunnel, but apparently it was removed in 1933.
Northwest on P.J. McArdle Roadway. This road was built in 1928, and there were mine shafts below. Before the road was built, some commuters actually walked a large set of steps up and down the hill, or they took one of the inclines.
One of the amazing views of downtown from P.J. McArdle Roadway. The Monongahela River is across the bottom. Grant Street is straight ahead. At lower left is the Smithfield Street Bridge.
The Monongahela Incline goes over P.J. McArdle Roadway and was designed by Cincinnati-based engineer John Endres. Not counting repeated lengthy renovations in recent years, it was the oldest continuously operating incline in the U.S., having opened in 1870.
P.J. McArdle Roadway again.
Northwest on Grandview.
Grandview again. You'd never know that the Fort Pitt Tunnel for I-376 is deep underground here.
Grandview at Plymouth.
As Grandview continues, we see the Ohio River splitting at Brunot Island, home of a power plant. Look closely and you can see the Ohio Connecting Railroad Bridge, which goes over both sides of the river and the island and opened in 1915.
Brick is back! Circus Vargas, Circus Vargas! This is southeast on Rutledge.
Southeast on Grandview at Meridian.
South on Merrimac. The PA 51 shield isn't exactly fresh from the womb.
P.J. McArdle Roadway grants us another downtown view.
P.J. McArdle Roadway again.
That road goes under the incline again.
Emerging from the Liberty Tunnel. Ahead, Liberty Avenue goes under a rail bridge, and a bridge for a bus-only road.
We get on PA 51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard) in a setup that is typically elaborate for the area. Here we see the same rail and busway bridges as above.
South on PA 51. It looks like there's a commuter train on the rail bridge. I didn't know Pittsburgh had commuter rail other than the inclines, but Wikipedia says there is something called Pittsburgh Light Rail, which even includes a subway. This system had been upgraded from the old trolleys (like what Mister Rogers had).
PA 51 with a school crossing sign that looks like it's been barbecued.
PA 51 begets PA 88.
PA 51 is Clairton Boulevard here and goes under a rail bridge. PA 51 still has some elaborate features through here.
Old Clairton Road in Jefferson Hills.