1839 Market Street (US-40, National Road) over Dunlaps Creek in Brownsville, PA

(Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; B&T; HAER; Satellite)

US-40 Overview

This was the first cast-iron bridge built in the USA. The engineer choose to use iron because he could not find any stone in the area that was strong enough to build a 100' (30m) arch bridge. [HAER_data]

I learned about this bridge while researching the oldest extant all-metal truss bridge in the USA.

It looks like it is a rather flat arch.

Postcard via BridgeHunter

HAER PA,26-BROVI,2--1
1. GENERAL VIEW LOOKING NORTH, SHOWING WESTERN HALF OF BRIDGE SPAN - Dunlap's Creek Bridge, Spanning Dunlap's Creek, Brownsville, Fayette County, PA

 

ExplorePaHistory

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘀𝘆𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 and Ohio posted
Oldest Cast Iron Bridge in U. S., in the Neck of Brownsville, PA • Undated! 

HAER PA,26-BROVI,2--6
6. VIEW LOOKING WEST, SHOWING ABUTMENT AND CAST IRON ARCH SEATS

It has a lattice spandrel. And a much wider deck was added to the bridge in the 1920s.

HAER PA,26-BROVI,2--4
4. DETAIL VIEW, SHOWING CAST IRON ARCH AND STEEL MODIFICATIONS

asce
"The Dunlap's Creek Bridge is the oldest all-metal arch bridge in the United States. It demonstrated the feasibility of using cast iron in bridge construction."

Fayette County Historical Society/Abel Colley Tavern & Museum posted

The first cast iron bridge in the United States was built in Brownsville and is going to get some tender loving care! 

The bridge was designed by Richard Delafield. It was built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Construction started in 1836, completed in 1839, along the National Road going over Dunlap’s Creek. 

It will be exciting to see this National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark restored! 

We’ll keep you posted!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AXRsMXf2F/?mibextid=WC7FNe

PennDOT_project
The project to rehabilitate this and the adjacent Brownsville Avenue Bridge is expected to cost $9-10m.

PennDOT_article

Bridges & Tunnels by Sherman Cahal posted
The Dunlap Creek Bridge in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, carried the National Road across the narrow section of the city known as The Neck. Completed in 1839 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it is recognized as the first cast-iron metal arch bridge in the United States. Altered in 1922, it nevertheless remained one of the most significant engineering survivals on the route. Recent preservation work has sought to restore its historic appearance while stabilizing the structure for the future.
🔗 More photographs and history: https://bridgestunnels.com/location/dunlap-creek-bridge/