Brilliant Branch Railroad Bridge

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Brilliant Branch Railroad Bridge
Allegheny River (2149775625).jpg
The Brilliant Branch Railroad Bridge, as viewed from the Highland Park Bridge.
Coordinates 40°29′12″N79°54′19″W / 40.4866°N 79.9053°W / 40.4866; -79.9053 Coordinates: 40°29′12″N79°54′19″W / 40.4866°N 79.9053°W / 40.4866; -79.9053
Carries Brilliant Branch
Crosses Allegheny River
Locale Pittsburgh and Aspinwall
Characteristics
Design Truss bridge
Longest span396 feet (121 m)
Clearance below 56.5 feet (17.2 m)
History
Opened1904
Location
Brilliant Branch Railroad Bridge

The Brilliant Branch Railroad Bridge is a truss bridge that carries Allegheny Valley Railroad's Brilliant Branch across the Allegheny River between the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Highland Park and the borough of Aspinwall, Pennsylvania.

Contents

History

The bridge is seen in this photograph from the early 20th century. Allegheny River from Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pa. (det.4a19425).tif
The bridge is seen in this photograph from the early 20th century.

The Brilliant Branch, along with the Port Perry Branch along the Monongahela River was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad as part of a bypass of the narrow tracks around Downtown Pittsburgh. [1] After the collapse of the Penn Central Transportation Company (the PRR's successor company) in 1976, the Brilliant Branch was abandoned. In 1995, they were purchased by the fledgling Allegheny Valley Railroad and in 2003, the Brilliant Branch Bridge was reopened. It generally served one train per day in each direction.

See also

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References

  1. "Bridges & Tunnels of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, PA - Brilliant Branch RR Bridge". April 2, 2003. Retrieved March 20, 2010.