Kinzua Bridge

The Kinzua Bridge (English Kinzua Bridge ) was a bridge of the Erie Railroad to the north of the state of Pennsylvania in the United States in the Allegheny National Forest. The bridge was 92 m high and 625 m long and was considered as the second highest in the United States. It was destroyed by a tornado on July 21, 2003.

History

In order to develop the coal deposits in the northern Pennsylvania near Brockway for customers in Buffalo and the Great Lakes, decided the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad, a predecessor company of Erie Railroad, a branch line from its main line of New York - Cleveland to build. The biggest obstacle to starting in Carrollton track was the valley of the Kinzua River. By Anthony Bonzano of the Phoenixville Bridge Works Company and Oliver W. Barnes of the railway company was planning the bridge. The work started in 1881 on the foundations lasted 6 months. The sandstone foundations have a volume of 5,810 m³. On April 10, 1882 began with the establishment of the iron structure. With just 40 workers of the construction was completed within 94 days. The bridge then cost $ 167,000 and there were 1159 tonnes of iron installed. After completion, the building was started under the name to market the "Eighth Wonder of the World ". Are specific passenger trains have been used across the bridge. With the associated revenue the construction costs could be more than covered. With entry of the United States into the First World War ended, the amusement rides.

In high winds, the bridge began to vibrate. The speed of passing trains was reduced in such weather at 8 km / h to damage or an accident to prevent.

In order to cope with the higher weights of locomotives and cars meet, the bridge was rebuilt in 1900. The steel structure was replaced with one made of steel. Construction began on 24 May 1900, the line was reopened to traffic on 25 September 1900. Around 100 to 150 workers built around 2500 tons of steel. Responsible for the design was the chief engineer of the Erie Railroad CW Bucholz. It was also to an improved resistance to strong winds value.

In the following years took place every seven years repainting the bridge. Between 1907 and 1933 the foundations of the bridge were covered with concrete. After the end of coal mining in Pennsylvania, the route was no longer needed. On June 21, 1959 drove the last scheduled train on the route. In 1963, the bridge from Pennsylvania to Kinzua Bridge State Park was declared. In 1970 the opening of the park. Inclusion on the list of National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1975 the importance of the bridge was further assessed.

The Knox and Kane Railroad began in 1987 by Marie Ville ( Pennsylvania) from to take tourists down the bridge. 2001 declared the Ministry of Transport of Pennsylvania State Route 3011 for the first Scenic Byway in the state.

On 27 June 2002, the crossing is due to the bad condition of the bridge prohibited by trains and they will put on the list of the most vulnerable objects of Pennsylvania. On 23 August 2002, the bridge is also closed to pedestrians, because of the risk that the bridge is unstable in low winds. In the spring of 2003 started with repairs and renovation work on the bridge. Through a tornado of strength F -1 on the Fujita scale overthrow on 21 July 2003, eleven of the 20 pillars. This was caused by corroded and damaged the bridge connecting elements with the foundations which had remained unchanged since 1882. Since no public funds for reconstruction are available, try private initiatives to collect money. An appointment of a possible re-establishment is still unclear at present.