The Armstrong Tunnel in

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...

, connects Second Avenue at the

South Tenth Street Bridge South Tenth Street Bridge, most often called the Tenth Street Bridge, but officially dubbed the Philip Murray Bridge, is a suspension bridge spanning the Monongahela River in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the only cable suspension bridg ...

, under the

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where

Duquesne University Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit ( or ; Duquesne University or Duquesne) is a private Catholic research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit , image = Holy Gh ...

is located, to

Forbes Avenue Forbes Avenue is one of the longest streets in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It runs along an east–west route for a length of approximately . History According to historical writer and blogger Leon J. Pollom, the lowest section of F ...

between Boyd Street and Chatham Square.

Construction

The tunnel was constructed between 1926 and 1927. The chief engineer was Vernon R. Covell of the

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Public Works Department. The tunnel portals were designed by a city architect, Stanley L. Roush, who is also noted for the

Smithfield Street Bridge The Smithfield Street Bridge is a lenticular truss bridge crossing the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The bridge was designed by Gustav Lindenthal, the engineer who later designed the Hell Gate Bridge in New York City. The ...

portals, the

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, the

Corliss Tunnel Corliss Tunnel, located at Corliss Street south from West Carson Street in the Elliott neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was built in 1914. It was added to the List of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks Pitts ...

, and many other municipal projects.

Characteristics

The tunnel itself is characterized by twin bores of horseshoe cross-section, and bends halfway through. It also has a pedestrian walkway on the western side. Pghbridges.com reports that since the air draft flows toward the river, bicyclists are able to travel through the tunnel in that direction "with little or no effort." A legend mentioned by the site involves a notion that the bend in the tunnel was a mistake, and whoever was responsible committed

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and ...

in shame. Chief engineer Covell did not kill himself, invalidating this legend. Author Bruce S. Cridlebaugh suspects the bend was related to mines or other geological factors, property rights (including Duquesne University), or alignments with existing or proposed roads. Since August 1987 the tunnels have provided cellular phone reception.

Name

The tunnels were named in honor of Joseph G. Armstrong, County Director of Public Works. Most of the bridges over the Pittsburgh's three rivers were replaced between 1910 and 1940, years which included Mr. Armstrong's terms as

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and Allegheny County Commissioner.

References

External links

{{NRHP bridges Tunnels in Pittsburgh Duquesne University Road tunnels on the National Register of Historic Places Transportation buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania Tunnels completed in 1926 Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks 1926 establishments in Pennsylvania Road tunnels in Pennsylvania National Register of Historic Places in Pittsburgh