Crosses Youghiogheny River Opened 1968 Clearance below 9.4 m Bridge type Truss bridge | Design Truss bridge Total length 238 m Location McKeesport Body of water Youghiogheny River | |
Carries CSX Keystone Subdivision Locale McKeesport, Pennsylvania Similar McKeesport‑Duquesne Bridge, McKeesport Connecting Railroad, Jerome Street Bridge, WD Mansfield Memorial, Ohiopyle Low Bridge | ||
The P&LE McKeesport Bridge is a truss bridge across the Youghiogheny River connecting the east and west banks of the Pittsburgh industrial suburb of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. In 1968, the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad untook a major construction project in conjunction with the B&O Railroad to clear tracks from downtown McKeesport. These tracks caused traffic congestion and posed a safety hazard. As a result, both this bridge and the nearby P&LE Liberty Boro Bridge were created to direct rail traffic to the west bank of the river, which featured a less confusing street grid.
Before the construction of this structure, an elaborate 1881 bridge stood on the site, which connected two P&LE lines. With both the P&LE and B&O having ceased operations, the structure currently serves the Pittsburgh-to-Cumberland, Maryland CSX Keystone Subdivision.