SMITHFIELD STREET BRIDGE (PA) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

SMITHFIELD STREET BRIDGE (PA) - Research Paper Example Pittsburgh’s huge need for bridges presented a good opportunity for the engineers to showcase their knowledge and talent .The only form of transport within the town and some sections of the river banks in the early 19th century was the use of skiffs or canoes. As the community developed people realized that it was mandatory to build a ferry service and in 1818 the Jone’s Ferry service was established, in order to improve their business oriented culture. The ferry operated between southern bank of Monongahela and the base of Liberty Street. Stock and goods were carried by boats while passengers were carried by skiffs. In 1840, a more advanced horse ferry was developed which used blind horses as motive power. The blind horses were fitted in horizontal wheels when then propelled the boats (Von 77). A few years later a steam ferry was established by Captain Erwin on the southern bank of Ohio near the section where the rivers formed a confluence. Sadly, the ferry project col lapsed a few years later together with the Jones ferry project.Leaving just one operational steam ferry which operated from Penn Street to Saw Mill Run.The essay will deal with the three bridges elected at the Smithfield Street and how their construction revolutionized the bridge construction technology in the 19th century when civilization was developing at a remarkable speed The first bridge among the Pittsburghs highway bridges was known as the Monongahela Bridge. A bill was passed In Pennsylvania by the state legislative council allowing two bridges to be built at Pittsburg. One would be built over the Allegheny and the other one over Monongahela. Judge Findley, a member of the legislative council was given the task of calculating the overall cost of the structures. His calculations indicated that approximately 1200 feet of the river required chains that were 1590 feet long and four other iron chains weighing 64