One of Pittsburgh’s Bridges Has a Birthday Party Coming Up
County officials will honor the centennial with a party, featuring art, music, food and fun.
PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO
The eldest of Pittsburgh’s Three Sisters bridges will turn 100 later this year, and county officials are planning its birthday bash.
The Andy Warhol Bridge, which connects the North Shore to Downtown via Seventh Street, was first opened on June 17, 1926, with a parade and dedication ceremony. To celebrate its centennial, Allegheny County is hosting a 100th birthday bash on the Andy Warhol Bridge from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 27.
The bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic for a free event featuring community art projects, music, games, contests, food and fun. Art projects will be led by the Andy Warhol Museum and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, and media partner City Cast Pittsburgh will emcee and lead the crowd through games and contests. Local artist Strawberry Luna is also creating a special edition commemorative poster to celebrate the bridge’s milestone birthday.
“Allegheny County’s history is filled with innovation and creativity, beautiful architecture and talented homegrown artists, and the Andy Warhol Bridge encapsulates all of that in one iconic structure,” Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato says in a statement. “I hope everyone will come down for a fun day of art, community, and a shared celebration of our history on June 27.”
In 1925, Allegheny County awarded a contract to the American Bridge Company to build the only three identically designed, self-anchored suspension bridges in the world — the Sister Bridges. The Seventh Street Bridge, now known as the Andy Warhol Bridge, which cost $1.4 million to build and is the longest of the three bridges at 1,061 feet, opened first. The Ninth Street Bridge, now known as the Rachel Carson Bridge, opened next in November of 1926, and construction of the Sixth Street Bridge, now known as the Roberto Clemente Bridge, started in 1927 and was completed in 1928.
In 2005, the Seventh Street Bridge was renamed the Andy Warhol Bridge to honor the world-famous artist as well as to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Andy Warhol Museum, which is located just two blocks away.
“As our nation commemorates the U.S. Semiquincentennial, it is fitting that we recognize the oldest of the three Sister Bridges, which represent Pittsburgh’s tradition of innovation, ingenuity, and ‘we can do it’ spirit,” Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Senator John Heinz History Center, says in a statement. “These iconic bridges, painted in ‘Aztec Gold’ as an homage to the city’s official colors, are symbols of Pittsburgh’s vibrancy, culture and most importantly, its people.
