David McCullough Bridge

{{Short description|Bridge in Pittsburgh}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox bridge

| name = David McCullough Bridge

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| official_name =

| other_name = Sixteenth Street Bridge

| named_for =

| image = SixteenthStreetBridgePittsburghPA.jpg

| caption =

| coordinates = {{coord|40|27|6|N|79|59|27|W|display=inline,title}}

| locale = Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States

| carries = 16th Street

| crosses = Allegheny River

| owner =

| maint = Allegheny County

| id_type = NRHP #

| id = 79002163

| website =

| design =

| length = {{convert|1,996|ft|m|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|41.3|ft|m|abbr=on}}

| height =

| depth =

| number_spans =

| mainspan = {{convert|437|ft|m}}

| piers_in_water =

| load =

| clearance_above =

| clearance_below = {{convert|41.3|ft|m}}

| lanes =

| life =

| num_track =

| track_gauge =

| structure_gauge =

| electrification =

| architect = Warren and Wetmore, architects

| designer = H.G. Balcom, engineer

| builder =

| fabricator =

| begin =

| built = {{Start date|1923}}

| complete =

| cost =

| open =

| inaugurated =

| rebuilt =

| destroyed =

| collapsed =

| closed =

| replaces =

| replaced_by =

| traffic =

| toll =

| map_relief =

| map_image =

| map_size =

| extra =

{{Infobox NRHP

| name =

| embed = yes

| nrhp_type =

| architect =

| architecture =

| added = August 13, 1979

| designated_nrhp_type =

| refnum = 79002163{{Cite web |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/nrhp |title=NPS Focus |work=National Register of Historic Places |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=November 6, 2011 |archive-date=July 25, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725123211/http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/ |url-status=live }}

| website =

| mpsub =

| designated_other1 = PHLF

| designated_other1_date = 2001{{cite book | url= http://www.phlf.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/Historic-Plaques-2010b.pdf |title=Historic Landmark Plaques 1968-2009 |publisher=Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation | location=Pittsburgh, PA | year=2010 | access-date=2010-07-02}}

}}

}}

The David McCullough Bridge, commonly and historically known as the 16th Street Bridge, is a steel trussed through arch bridge that spans the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The 16th Street Bridge replaced the Mechanics Street Bridge, completed at the behest of the State of Pennsylvania in 1838.{{cite web|last=Mader|first=Nicole|title=Northern Liberties Bridge Company Ledger Finding Aid|url=http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/f/findaid/findaid-idx?c=ascead;cc=ascead;q1=16th%20street%20bridge;rgn=main;view=text;didno=US-PPiU-dar193724|publisher=University of Pittsburgh Archive Service Center|access-date=28 February 2013}} The 16th Street Bridge was constructed in 1922 with a length of {{Convert|1900|ft}} and a width of {{Convert|40|ft}}. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The 16th Street Bridge connects the Strip District with the North Shore near Deutschtown.

Days after the disastrous St. Patrick's Day Flood of 1936, reports spread on March 20 that the bridge had collapsed from the pressure of the receding flood waters and debris, prompting Pittsburgh Police Chief Jacob Dorsey to close all city bridges for fear of receding waters and debris weakening or collapsing them. However, the reports were soon discovered to be false.{{cite web|title=False Report of Bridge Collapsing Causes Panic in Pittsburgh -- 45 Dead|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I_ZPAAAAIBAJ&dq=superintendent%20pittsburgh&pg=4630%2C5996478|work=The Evening Independent Vol. 39, No. 118|access-date=28 February 2013}}

On July 7, 2013, the structure was named in honor of historian, author, and commentator David McCullough, a Pittsburgh native, in a bridge ceremony sponsored by Heinz History Center.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=June 26, 2013|title=David McCullough Bridge Dedication Ceremony & Celebrations Announced|url=https://www.alleghenycounty.us/News/2013/County-Executive-2013/2147488911.aspx|access-date=2021-01-31|website=www.alleghenycounty.us}}

File:DavidMcCulloughBridge.jpg|View from above

File:16thst from lawrenceville.jpg|View from 31st Street Bridge with downtown in the background and Heinz Loft on the north bank

File:16th st from the strip.jpg|View from Strip District