This is probably my favorite Pittsburgh bridge. It is just beautiful architecturally and is unique compared to the other "standard" Pittsburgh bridges. It is easy to get on and off and the traffic management seems to work well as I've never been stuck or stopped on this bridge in traffic. It is also a beautiful bridge to walk or bike over. Plenty of room for pedestrians and you can't beat the view! I've taken a double stroller over it, walked it, run it and biked it and it was a pleasant experience every time. Prior to the construction of apartments and condos next to Station Square, this bridge had a lot of traffic from downtown commuters who would park across the river and walk downtown. Now I think parking is more expensive on the Station Square side, so much of the traffic is from those using the trail or just looking for views rather than cheap parking. A great bridge to drive over, walk over or just take pictures of from afar. read more

Most amazing views from Smithfield Street Bridge in Pittsburgh, PA. Historic Landmark Est. 1881-1889. It's very upsetting to see some graffiti in this beautiful historic bridge. Some people have zero respect for historic locations!! Other than that, I recommend walking through this beautiful bridge you can see downtown Pittsburgh and the Steelers Stadium from a distance. Happy Yelping :) read more

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The one thing I do miss about Pittsburgh is the number of interesting and mostly beautiful bridges. Smithfield Street Bridge is definitely one of the most beautiful bridges Pittsburgh has. Smithfield Street Bridge first opened in 1883. It was widened in 1889, and widened again in 1911. This is the third bridge on this site, first was a wooden bridge lost to Pittsburgh's Great Fire of 1845, second was a wire rope suspension bridge replaced due to traffic on both the bridge and waterway. This bridge was heavily used throughout it's lifetime. It was a main throughway for streetcars when they were in use. Up until they moved streetcar and light rail to the Panhandle Bridge. The bridge sat for a while and was almost considered for demolition. However, around 1995 the bridge was completely rehabilitated and used the lane previously for street cars was converted for traffic and a light controlled bus lane was added to ease traffic at times. This bridge is on a few lists. It is on the Historic Landmark list by Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. It is a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark as well as a National Historic Landmark. There is a plaque commemorating the bridge's centennial as well as a Pittsburgh Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award. The bridge connects Downtown with Stations Square carrying Smithfield Street over the Monongahela River. Buses can continue onto Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel, everyone can continue onto Carson Street. Walking the bridge affords you some great looks of the skyline and you get to feel the bounciness of the bridge when larger vehicles cross it. When I lived on the South Side I would take this bridge quite often. Not always the best option back then, but things have changed in this area and traffic late at night is a bit easier now. The really cool thing about this bridge is the addition to the switchback that allows people to connect to the trail on the Downtown side. But it also connects to Station Square (or whatever is left of it) on the South Side. There's even a pedestrian tunnel connecting the trails on this side. read more

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An historic and scenic treasure, the Smithfield Street Bridge was constructed in 1881 and designed by Gustav Lindenthal. It replaced an even more amazing bridge built in 1859 by John A. Roebling. The bridge features two 360 foot spans and is the longest lenticular truss bridge remaining in the United States. The bridge is a thing of beauty and is generally everyone's favorite bridge in Pittsburgh. read more

I do not usually review bridges, but Pittsburgh is known as the City of Bridges, and the Smithfield Street Bridge is one of the city's most prominent bridges. According to the Brookline Connection website, the Smithfield Street Bridge is a steel lenticular truss bridge that crosses the Monongahela River to connect the South Hills with the downtown city. The bridge was designed by Gustav Lindenthal. Construction of the bridge began in 1881, and the bridge opened to traffic in 1883. The bridge is designated a National Historical Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Of course, in the past 140+ years, the Smithfield Street Bridge has experienced many changes in structure and use. The bridge has been widened and renovated multiple times, and the traffic changed from horses and wagons to street cars to electric trolleys to motor vehicles. Pedestrians may still walk across the bridge. The Smithfield Street Bridge has mostly a blue-green color and only some yellow. I do like the completely yellow bridges, but I respect and value this bridge as the city's oldest. I apologize for not quickly pulling out my cell phone to take a photo of this bridge when my husband was driving us over it, but many other reviewers here have posted their photos. read more

Did you know you can review our bridges?! This is my favorite bridge in Pittsburgh (and it is the oldest one)! I used to park in Station Square before the apartments took over the parking lot, and walk over the bridge to Point Park. I always admired the architecture of it and the view you get while on it! At night the bridge is lit up, and it's so beautiful! It doesn't fit in with the rest of the yellow bridges in Pittsburgh, and that's why I like it even more! I think I read that it was built by the same architect that built the Brooklyn Bridge. It's nice that the walking paths are huge on both sides of the 4 lane bridge. It's one that I actually feel safe riding a bike across too. Walk across in Summertime for some great sunset photos. read more

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One of the oldest suspension bridges in the country, this fine piece of infrastructure is simply amazing. I have walked over this bridge multiple times in my life and do so on almost a daily basis. It's a wonderful walk during lunch break from working downtown. The city and water views are spectacular. Whenever people visit Pittsburgh for the first time, this is one of the places I take them to straight away. read more

Smithfield Street Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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As bridges go, the Smithfield Street Bridge gets it job done with class and style. Built between 1881 and 1883, it's been widened a couple of times since then and is now a National Landmark. It's the oldest bridge in Pitttsburgh and the second oldest steel bridge in the entire United States. It is the second-to-last bridge on the Monongahela River before it merges into the Allegheny and becomes the Ohio. In addition to vehicular traffic, it is a nice pedestrian bridge for the commuters who park at Station Square. You might have noticed the bridge in the Bruce Willis film "Striking Distance" and the Wiz Khalifa video, "Black and Yellow." It's a pretty bridge and it's a classic. It's not the oldest bridge I've reviewed. That honor goes to the Pulteney Bridge in Bath that was completed in 1774. It is, however, the first bridge that I've reviewed in Pennsylvania and that makes it special to me! read more

Smithfield Street Bridge - Smithfield Street Bridge in Pittsburgh - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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I walked across this bridge for ten years to get to either class and/or work. Ah, the memories. Pittsburgh is the city of bridges with its over 400, but this one is special to me because I had spent so much time on it. The bridge connects downtown Pittsburgh with Station Square and surrounding areas. It usually marked with graffiti from taggers and it is four lanes in total. It's the second oldest steel bridge in the United States for you history buffs. I can remember being in my car or even walking and any time a large truck would go by on the bridge would it would just shake. Like the Earth is moving shake. Initially it's terrifying but you get used to it, like most things in the 412. I'm guessing the suspension? One of the many quirks that Pittsburgh has. Most importantly is the view- it's wonderful going across and looking at the city from the bridge. You may even see some boats going down the Mon. And by boats I mean barges. And maybe some tires too, but hey, don't knock it until you try it. read more

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Pittsburgh's oldest river bridge still in operation opened to traffic in 1883. It is the only Pauli system of over-and-under double lenticular truss design in the U.S. I cross it regularly on foot or bike to get to the Southside and Station Square from downtown. Today, I ate my lunch sitting on the traffic barriers. This is my favorite bridge in the City of Bridges! read more

The Smithfield Street bridge is Pittsburgh's oldest--and one of its most unique--bridges. It is distinct due to its blue color and its double helix-shaped supports, which are ornamental as well as functional. Like many of Pittsburgh's bridges, it is pedestrian and cyclist friendly, with sidewalks on both sides sectioned off from the lanes in the middle carrying vehicular traffic. As others have mentioned, this bridge connects downtown with Station Square, a popular destination for tourists due to its proximity to the inclines. Indeed, many tours of PGH (duck boats, segway, etc.) leave from Station Square and use this bridge to cross over to downtown. Given that it doesn't connect directly to a main thoroughfare, the pace of traffic is more relaxed than on some nearby bridges (Liberty, Fort Pitt, Fort Duquesne), making the drive across a less hectic alternative. The Smithfield St. bridge, like the Hot Metal Bridge further upstream, crosses the Monongahela River and offers a breathtaking view of the Golden Triangle area from its downstream side. As such, it's a popular vantage point for Fourth of July fireworks--so much so, in fact, that it is closed to traffic that evening so that viewers can take full advantage. If you're seeking a higher vista, you can take the nearby Duquesne Incline to view the fireworks from Grandview Ave. on Mt. Washington--though I recommend arriving early to stake a claim if this is your plan given the popularity of this vantage point. As can be deduced by the number of times I've checked in, the Smithfield Bridge is one of my favorite PGH bridges. In fact, the Smithfield Bridge is the westernmost point of a loop around the Three Rivers Heritage trails that I often do during weekdays, which takes me a little over an hour in total. Due to its position and distinctiveness, it makes a great halfway point, and I enjoy observing the surrounding scenery from it no matter which direction I'm headed. read more

My favorite bridge downtown. I love it. The color, the arches, and the lights at night, just spectacular! It is not the longest or the highest but I love it and it is a gem! read more

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On the Pittsburgh Bridge Scale, this one is pretty strong. Come and see the architecture and see for yourself. In addition to making a nice back-drop for a photo, this bridge connects downtown to Station Square (for what that's worth...), crossing the Monongahela in the process. Unlike many of Pittsburgh's bridges, this one is not yellow. read more

This Bridge crosses the Monongahela River near Station Square. It's Pittsburgh's oldest bridge. read more

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Nice bridge to ride or walk over. Goes to Station square from downtown.

Ugh the snow is ruining my social life WOW... Pittsburgh has sooo many mini bridges... ((Smithfield Street Bridge))) -Total length 1,184 feet -10 minutes to walk across the bridge - a few more minutes longer if you stop to admire the Views.... read more