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36-643: The bridge was built from 1930 to 1932 primarily by the American Bridge Company (superstructure) and the Foundation Company (substructure). Th e bridge was designed by George S. Richardson. It was the longest tied-arch bridge in the world when completed, and just the second bridge to use tied-arch technology over a long span, after the Tacony–Palmyra Bridge (1929) in Philadelphia . The bridge

72-556: A village under the name of Middletown, while the post office name was Vancefort. It was established in August 1861, and changed to Coraopolis in March 1886. Legend has it that the borough was named for a member of the Watson family, Cora Watson, who was born on February 2, 1870. However, an old newspaper uncovered by longtime resident and local historian Dr. Frank Braden, Jr. suggests it more likely took

108-418: A community center and event space once completed. Coraopolis is located at 40°30′57″N 80°9′46″W  /  40.51583°N 80.16278°W  / 40.51583; -80.16278 (40.515818, -80.162791). According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the borough has a total area of 1.5 square miles (3.9 km ), of which 1.3 square miles (3.4 km ) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km ), or 9.46%,

144-487: A stone blockhouse to protect the area against Indian raids. This was known as Vance Fort (or Fort Vance). The site of the fort was around present-day Broadway and Chestnut streets, near Second Avenue. Over time the community grew and developed, and it became known as Middletown in the 1800s, either because it was situated midway between Pittsburgh and Beaver, Pennsylvania , or perhaps after an early settler named Alexander Middleton who supposedly ran "Middleton's Tavern" in

180-699: Is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania , United States, along the Ohio River . The population was 5,559 at the 2020 census . Coraopolis is located west of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River and to the east of the Pittsburgh International Airport . The borough has steep topography, numerous brick streets and many large, old houses. Dick's Sporting Goods is headquartered in Coraopolis, as

216-599: Is a heavy/civil construction firm that specializes in building and renovating bridges and other large, complex structures. Founded in 1900, the company is headquartered in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania , a suburb of Pittsburgh . The firm has built many bridges in the U.S. and elsewhere; the Historic American Engineering Record notes at least 81. American Bridge has also built or helped build the Willis Tower ,

252-451: Is said the spelling therefore accidentally got changed." The History of Pennsylvania, Page 1577, indicates that the city was built on land, then owned, by James Harvey McCabe and when the borough charter was granted, he was elected first burgess. "and, under his careful and interested administration the departments of the new government and were, in an astonishing short time, working with great lubricity and resulting high efficiency. As he took

288-492: Is the American Bridge Company . On April 3, 1769, Andrew Montour , an Indian interpreter who had provided service to English settlers during the French and Indian War , was granted a land patent for approximately 350 acres (1.4 km ) of what would later become the borough of Coraopolis and Neville Island . However, there is no evidence that Montour ever lived on this tract. The first permanent white settler in Coraopolis

324-480: Is water. Situated along the southern bank of the Ohio River , Coraopolis has two land borders, including Moon Township to the south and west and Robinson Township to the southeast. Across the Ohio River's back channel, Coraopolis is connected to Neville Island ( Neville Township ) via the Coraopolis Bridge to the northeast and is adjacent to the boroughs of Haysville , Glen Osborne , and Sewickley across

360-676: The Empire State Building , the Chrysler Building , launch pads, resorts, and more. During World War II , it produced tank landing ships (LSTs) for the United States Navy . In 2020, American Bridge Company was acquired by Southland Holdings LLC. American Bridge Company was founded in April 1900, when J.P. Morgan & Co. led a consolidation of 28 of the largest U.S. steel fabricators and constructors. The company's roots extend to

396-582: The Emsworth Dam in 1938, the clearance was reduced to 66 feet (20 m). A bridge connecting the North Side to the West End was first proposed in 1912 by Pittsburgh businessman Henry Tranter (1865–1940). Tranter formed a committee to lobby for the bridge and spent more than a decade promoting the project. When the bridge was finally dedicated in 1932, Tranter served as master of ceremonies. For these reasons, he

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432-475: The Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad in 1877. Several Coraopolis residents were stockholders in this enterprise. In 1890, oil was discovered at both ends of the borough, which briefly stimulated a population boom. The effects did not last long, however, as the oil supplies were found to be rather modest. In 1892, community development took off with the construction of the first high-speed electric street railway in

468-573: The $ 46 million project, the bridge was fully rehabilitated and its four northern approach spans were replaced with a new set of ramps. It reopened in 1991. The U.S. Department of Transportation determined that removal of the approach spans did not compromise the qualities that made the bridge eligible for the National Register of Historic Places . [REDACTED] Media related to West End Bridge at Wikimedia Commons Wabash Bridge American Bridge Company The American Bridge Company

504-465: The Foundation Company of New York and the American Bridge Company , respectively. The bridge was dedicated five months ahead of schedule on December 2, 1932. In the 1970s, planning began for an interchange at the north end of the bridge which would be the "missing link" between the Fort Duquesne Bridge and the newly expanded Ohio River Boulevard . However, work did not begin until 1990. During

540-632: The Ohio River's confluence at the northeast end of Neville Island. As of the census of 2000, there were 6,131 people, 2,880 households, and 1,552 families residing in the borough. The population density was 4,582.3 people per square mile (1,769.2 people/km ). There were 3,119 housing units at an average density of 2,331.1 per square mile (900.0/km ). The racial makeup of the borough was 84.96% White , 12.43% Black or African American , 0.08% Native American , 0.28% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.57% from other races , and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of

576-507: The United States. The railway was scheduled to run up to 40 mph, going from Coraopolis, over Neville Island and to McKees Rocks . Along with the railway came Consolidated Lamp and Glass Company to Coraopolis, moving from its location in Fostoria, Ohio . Consolidated Glass employed up to 350 people, and was located in Coraopolis from 1895 until 1963. Other Coraopolis residents worked for

612-745: The United States: Built the longest suspension bridge in South America, and one of the longest in Europe: Built the world's longest arch bridge on three occasions: Built the world's longest self-supporting continuous truss bridge : Renovations of existing bridges: Built the world's tallest building on numerous occasions. Built many other well-known buildings. Built the world's largest building by volume twice. Built two large domed stadium structures. Coraopolis, Pennsylvania Coraopolis ( / ˌ k oʊ r i ˈ ɒ p əl ɪ s / )

648-490: The West End Bridge consisted of eight spans (listed from south to north): The four northern approach spans were demolished in 1990 to build a new interchange with Ohio River Boulevard . The roadway measures 40 feet (12 m) curb-to-curb, carrying four traffic lanes, with 9-foot (2.7 m) sidewalks on either side. When built, the bridge had a clearance of 73 feet (22 m) above the Ohio River. After construction of

684-485: The appellation from a Greek word for "maiden city". According to page 7 of the book Coraopolis , by Gia Tatone, Coraopolis Historical Society (2007), "The newspaper [Dr. Frank Braden, Jr. uncovered] was simply called the News and was published in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, on June 5, 1897. The newspaper discusses the confusion that was occurring with the post offices in regard to the name Middletown, because several other areas in

720-468: The area. One of the most important early industries in the area was begun by the Watson family, English immigrants who arrived in America in 1830. The Watsons built a sawmill on the site of the former municipal building on Fifth Avenue. Later, they operated a much larger grist mill on the river bank at Mill Street, until 1887. The borough was incorporated on June 7, 1886. It was previously known as

756-498: The area. In 1955, Dr. Harry Houtz published a six-year study in the National Education Journal demonstrating that phonics was a more effective way of teaching reading, and in 1957, Herbert Snell published his study of performance-based academic tracking in junior high, which became widely adopted. Coraopolis and Neville Township merged their schools to form Cornell School District in 1971, and all students reported to

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792-409: The average family size was 2.85. In the borough, the population was spread out, with 19.4% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males. The median income for a household in the borough

828-413: The central business district. In 2017, two new brewpubs, a craft distillery, a coffee shop, a restaurant, and several other small businesses opened their doors. Coraopolis also shares a new athletic complex with neighboring Robinson and Moon Townships that will feature soccer, rugby, and lacrosse fields, when completed. The 1896 Richardsonian Romanesque train station is also being restored, and will become

864-480: The competition was to create an iconic architectural element which ties both shore neighborhoods with the waterfronts while eliminating the need for pedestrians to cross traffic lanes and empty lots. The winning design was submitted by Endres Ware (now Endrestudio ) in association with OLIN , Ammann & Whitney Archived 2006-02-03 at the Wayback Machine , Auerbach Glasow , and RWDI . As originally built,

900-723: The late 1860s, when one of the consolidated firms, Keystone Bridge Company , built the Eads Bridge at St. Louis , the first steel bridge over the Mississippi River and still in use. In 1902, the company became a subsidiary of United States Steel as part of the Steel Trust consolidation. The company pioneered the use of steel as a construction material; developing the means and methods for fabrication and construction that allowed it to be widely used in buildings, bridges, vessels, and other plate applications. It went on to do work across

936-451: The lead in the matter of establishing the new form of government, so it was his energetic championing of the projected laying of the tracks of the Pittsburg and Lake Erie through the borough that made that enterprise possible, his active assistance in securing rights of way being an important factor in its success." Community development in Coraopolis moved along gradually with the building of

972-402: The name "Ambridge"), and is near their current headquarters of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania . Both municipalities are on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh, with access to many steel suppliers, as well as to waterborne and rail transport, to allow shipment of components and subassemblies. This is a representative list, not an exhaustive one. Built the longest concrete segmental cable stay bridge in

1008-488: The nation and around the world. During World War II, the company built warships for the U.S. Navy. In 1944, American painter Thomas Hart Benton recorded the construction and launch of LST 768, producing numerous drawings and a painting, Cut the Line . The company went private in 1987 and was sold to Continental Engineering Corporation in 1988. The town of Ambridge, Pennsylvania , was an American Bridge company town (thus

1044-529: The new Cornell Educational Center in 1976. Coraopolis is the birthplace of actors Michael Keaton and S. William Hinzman . Jerry Gibson , a Negro league baseball player, played here for the Coraopolis Grays . The corporate headquarters for Dick's Sporting Goods is located in Corapolis. Coraopolis is experiencing a period of revitalization highlighted by new storefront businesses and façade improvements in

1080-420: The new industries established on Neville Island. Coraopolis' first municipal building was built in 1897 on State Avenue and was used until 1929, when next building was constructed on Fifth Ave. Coraopolis dedicated a new municipal complex on Fourth Ave in 2017 that houses all municipal departments, including the police and fire stations. Two significant contributions to modern educational practice took place in

1116-409: The population. There were 2,880 households, out of which 21.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.1% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and

West End Bridge - Misplaced Pages Continue

1152-523: The state of Pennsylvania shared the same name. With a borough now being established, the Reverend Josiah Dillon, a pioneer clergyman, suggested the name to be changed to Coraopolis. Dillon knew Greek and was also the first burgess ( mayor ) at the time. So he suggested combining Kore meaning 'maiden' and opolis meaning 'city' ('maiden city') to achieve Koreopolis . However, when Greek letters and pronunciation were turned to English , it

1188-423: Was $ 32,321, and the median income for a family was $ 41,081. Males had a median income of $ 31,374 versus $ 25,269 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $ 17,595. About 6.4% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over. Coraopolis is a Pennsylvania borough with an elected borough council, elected mayor, and

1224-537: Was Capt. Robert Vance, who settled in the vicinity of Montour's tract around 1773, just prior to the beginning of the American Revolution . Vance, a Virginian , had been a member of the regiment commanded by George Washington at the Braddock expedition during the French and Indian War . For the protection of himself and his neighbors, of whom several arrived within a few years, Vance had a log stockade built with

1260-512: Was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and the List of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks in 2001. As of 2016, the bridge and its surrounding approaches are undergoing some major reconstruction. The Riverlife Task Force conducted a competition in the spring of 2006 to design a pedestrian bridge across the Ohio attached to the West End Bridge. The goal of

1296-444: Was remembered as the "Father of the West End Bridge". In 1928, Pittsburgh voters approved a $ 43.7 million bond issue to fund a variety of public works, including the West End Bridge, McKees Rocks Bridge , South Tenth Street Bridge , Saw Mill Run Boulevard , Allegheny River Boulevard, and Allegheny County Airport . Work on the West End Bridge began in 1930, with the contracts for the substructure and superstructure being awarded to

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