City spruces up Downtown gateway bridge
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Mayor Corey O'Connor (middle) in front of the recently painted trestle bridge at the Penn Avenue and 11th Street intersection. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
A gateway into Downtown Pittsburgh is getting a makeover.
Why it matters: Thousands of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians cross under the rusted railroad trestle bridge near the Amtrak station daily on their way into Downtown and the Strip District.
Driving the news: The trestle bridge is getting a black and gold paint job, eventually complete with the seals of the city of Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Railroad.
- The sections of the bridge over Penn Avenue and 11th Street are already painted. The section over Liberty Avenue will be painted soon, officials said.
What they're saying: Mayor Corey O'Connor said Tuesday that beautifying the city's gateways is important not just ahead of the NFL Draft, but also in the long term so residents can appreciate their city more.
- "The simple things of 'details matter.' … Doing paintings like this shows that the gateway into our major entertainment districts are now being taken care of," he said.
Follow the money: The project costs $400,000 and was paid for by sponsors PPG, Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale Co. and Eden Hall Foundation. No taxpayer dollars were used, per O'Connor.
Flashback: The trestle bridge was built by American Bridge Company in 1954, said Jeremy Waldrup of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.
What's next: Beautification efforts in other parts of Downtown are beginning, and many will be ready in time for the NFL Draft in late April.
- Parts of Smithfield Street are getting illuminating art projects before the draft, said Waldrup.
- More than 30 vacant storefronts throughout Downtown will be activated with pop-up businesses, art projects and other efforts over the next couple of years, per Waldup.
- The city is looking to attract a "destination restaurant" for the vacant space under Mellon Park on Smithfield Street, said O'Connor.