Charleroi–Monessen Bridge

The Charleroi–Monessen Bridge, officially the John K. Tener Memorial Bridge, is a two lane structure spanning the Monongahela River. The bridge connects North Charleroi in Washington County, Pennsylvania and Monessen in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The structure connects Route 88 on the west bank of the river and Route 906 on the east side. The bridge, which opened in 2013, replaced a 1906 structure. The original bridge closed in 2009 due to structural deficiency.

John K. Tener Memorial Bridge
Coordinates40°09′07″N 79°54′14″W / 40.152°N 79.904°W / 40.152; -79.904
History
ReplacesCharleroi–Monessen Bridge
Location
Map

Previous bridge

edit
Charleroi-Monessen Bridge
 
The original Charleroi-Monessen Bridge in Summer 1997
 
 
 
 
LocationLR 247 over Monongahela River, Monessen, Pennsylvania
Coordinates40°9′6″N 79°54′15″W / 40.15167°N 79.90417°W / 40.15167; -79.90417
Arealess than one acre
Built1906
ArchitectEmil Swensson; Mercantile Bridge Co.
Architectural styleMultiple span PA truss
MPSHighway Bridges Owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation TR
NRHP reference No.88000812[1]
Added to NRHPJune 22, 1988

The 1906 bridge, a three-span steel truss structure, was imploded shortly before 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 11, 2011. The new bridge was constructed in its place slightly to the northeast.

The 1906 bridge was designated as a historic bridge by the Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation.[2]

Current bridge

edit

Construction delays caused the original December 2012 projected opening date to be pushed back to June 29, 2013. The Pennsylvania Legislature voted to name the new bridge after Mon Valley native John Tener, a former U.S. Representative and state governor. Tener, an ex-professional baseball player who organized the first congressional baseball game, owned the Mercantile Bridge Company, which designed the original bridge that connected the two cities. [1].

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. ^ "Charleroi-Monessen Bridge". Landmark Registry - Bridges. Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation. 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
edit