... and other stuff that is still there and interesting...............................518 Main Street Irwin PA 15642
Bridge Date Plates
on various small concrete road bridges in western PA
STG Boy no.1 thinks these are the coolest thing since New Coke and Beanie Babies. Enjoy.
Pennsylvania State Highways And
State Road Two-lane Bridge Designs 1918-1950
I have not been able to locate any sites or records of Pennsylvania’s standard designs for bridge building between the end of World War I and 1950. By traveling the old roads and alignments in southwestern Pennsylvania I have been able to chronicle and note almost every year a bridge was built. There are two design phases, and three different bronze markings to designate the year built. These designs were used on Federal Highways (US 22, US 30, US 40) as well as State maintained roads. The design was generally used on two lane roads over small creeks, but there are examples of bridges that are much larger in size. Due to them being constructed entirely of concrete, most have been bypassed or completely replaced. The remaining bridges are in sad shape in most instances, and this period of bridge design will be all but a memory in the next decade.
The first design PA concrete bridge was solid concrete with design indentations. The bronze plaque (now green with oxidation) was usually placed in the center. On it read “Pennsylvania State Highway”. The examples I am showing almost all have been bypassed and de-commissioned, thus the condition is actually better than ones still in use. One example was US 22 Old William Penn Highway, near PA Rt 982. Built in 1921, it was only used until 1950, when the new alignment came through just south. I approached the construction company who recently demolished the bridge, asking them for the plate. While the project manager was happy to show it to me, it was destined for HIS mantle!!!
The second design survives in many places, although many are so dilapidated that they have been reduced to one lane or salt has eaten away at the concrete right down to the exposed rebar. This design placed the date plaque (smaller than the ones used in design 1) placed on the end of the bridge. This design utilized one or two standard pre-fabricated sizes, with cut out arch openings on the sides (first attempt at cost savings!). Depending upon the length, the design could be a couple of different lengths made to fit the span. Each year a new date plate was cast, (wonder if they melted down last years model?) and the inscription now read “ Pennsylvania Department Of Highways”. These plaques had three prongs sticking out the back, which allowed rebar to be threaded through and set with the concrete to deter vandalism. I only know this because I recently rescued one from the demolition ball for my own collection.
While the concrete bridge designs did not change, the date plaque went through another cost saving move. The State used a blank “Pennsylvania Department Of Highways” keystone, and simply welded the year to the blank prior to installation. (see pictures).
I do not believe there were any bridges built between 1942-1945 (WWII), simply because I have not located any date plates during that time period.
The date plaques were used beyond 1950, but at that point the designs deviated from the standard pre-cast designs. I have seen dates as late as 1972 on the keystone plaques.
If you are out and about I have not been able to located the following years on date plaques: 1920, 1922, 1926, 1927, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1936. If you find—email your picture to qman49@juno.com Happy motoring!