Main Street Bridge

this is the High Level Bridge, a steel single box-arch built by Bethlehem Steel in 1949. it replaces an older brick/masonry multiple arch bridge which used to be located just to the west. i believe the builders plate, which used to be inset in the west side handrail was removed when they installed the high-fence railings- a measure put in place after numerous suicide victims' bodies found in the wooded gorge 200 feet below. originally, this bridge was fitted with an open-grid steel deck, but was upgraded to pavement because the deck was slippery and it got worse with the advent of wider vehicle tires in the 60's and 70's. the noise generated by traffic on the steel surface also drew a lot of complaints from local residents- some living miles away. the new paved surface effectively conceals the bridge design, and there are no roadways below, so it is understandable someone could mistake it for a deck truss.

this is the High Level Bridge, a steel single box-arch built by Bethlehem Steel in 1949. it replaces an older brick/masonry multiple arch bridge which used to be located just to the west. i believe the builders plate, which used to be inset in the west side handrail was removed when they installed the high-fence railings- a measure put in place after numerous suicide victims' bodies found in the wooded gorge 200 feet below. originally, this bridge was fitted with an open-grid steel deck, but was upgraded to pavement because the deck was slippery and it got worse with the advent of wider vehicle tires in the 60's and 70's. the noise generated by traffic on the steel surface also drew a lot of complaints from local residents- some living miles away. the new paved surface effectively conceals the bridge design, and there are no roadways below, so it is understandable someone could mistake it for a deck truss.