016_13 - Arch Bridge & Falls, Cumberland, Maryland
Bridgepixing a steel arch bridge spanning the falls at Cumberland, Maryland.
An unmistakable Cumberland landmark, the Blue Bridge carries Johnson Street (MD 942) over the North Branch of the Potomac River. This 315-foot-long, double-span bridge is one of the state’s few steel tied-arch designs. A tied-arch bridge works much like a bow (as in a bow and arrow) turned on its side. Just as a bow forms an arch because it is tied together by a string, the arch of this bridge curves and is tied into place by long steel eyebars. The road hangs from the arch by metal suspenders. The spikes, here known as anticlimb shields, share the same purpose as those on the metal-arch Baltimore City bridges: to keep off would-be climbers. In the 1950s blue was a widely available paint color and a popular choice for bridges.
A plaque on the bridge names it "Washington's Crossing Bridge" with a build date of 1955 by the Corps of Engineers.
Steel through arch bridge over North Branch Potomac River on MD 942 between Cumberland, Md. and Ridgeley, W.Va.
Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland, and Mineral County, West Virginia
Built 1954; rehabilitated 1996
Steel through tied arch
Cumberland was a key road, railroad and canal junction during the 1800s and at one time the second largest city in Maryland (second to the port city of Baltimore--hence its nickname "The Queen City"). The surrounding hillsides provided coal, iron ore, and timber that helped supply the industrial revolution. In addition, the city was a major manufacturing center, with industries in glass, breweries, fabrics, and tinplate. However, following World War II, it began to lose much of its industrial importance and its population declined from 39,483 residents in the 1940 census to fewer than 22,000 today. Similar to other communities it resembles in the Monongahela Valley Industrial region of southwestern Pennsylvania, the city continues to struggle with the challenges of transitioning to a post-industrial economy. (Wikipedia)
016_13 - Arch Bridge & Falls, Cumberland, Maryland
Bridgepixing a steel arch bridge spanning the falls at Cumberland, Maryland.
An unmistakable Cumberland landmark, the Blue Bridge carries Johnson Street (MD 942) over the North Branch of the Potomac River. This 315-foot-long, double-span bridge is one of the state’s few steel tied-arch designs. A tied-arch bridge works much like a bow (as in a bow and arrow) turned on its side. Just as a bow forms an arch because it is tied together by a string, the arch of this bridge curves and is tied into place by long steel eyebars. The road hangs from the arch by metal suspenders. The spikes, here known as anticlimb shields, share the same purpose as those on the metal-arch Baltimore City bridges: to keep off would-be climbers. In the 1950s blue was a widely available paint color and a popular choice for bridges.
A plaque on the bridge names it "Washington's Crossing Bridge" with a build date of 1955 by the Corps of Engineers.
Steel through arch bridge over North Branch Potomac River on MD 942 between Cumberland, Md. and Ridgeley, W.Va.
Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland, and Mineral County, West Virginia
Built 1954; rehabilitated 1996
Steel through tied arch
Cumberland was a key road, railroad and canal junction during the 1800s and at one time the second largest city in Maryland (second to the port city of Baltimore--hence its nickname "The Queen City"). The surrounding hillsides provided coal, iron ore, and timber that helped supply the industrial revolution. In addition, the city was a major manufacturing center, with industries in glass, breweries, fabrics, and tinplate. However, following World War II, it began to lose much of its industrial importance and its population declined from 39,483 residents in the 1940 census to fewer than 22,000 today. Similar to other communities it resembles in the Monongahela Valley Industrial region of southwestern Pennsylvania, the city continues to struggle with the challenges of transitioning to a post-industrial economy. (Wikipedia)