By BRIAN HALE
(Photos also courtesy of Brian Hale)
During the early 1930s, the Allegheny Highway (Route 62) was being constructed to connect Warren with communities along the Allegheny River to Oil City. The site for a new bridge was chosen at the Hunter Station railroad stop. In the early 1800s, Eli Holeman ran a ferry at this location. Many local residents wanted the bridge to be named the Holeman Ferry Bridge, but the state chose to keep the name as the Hunter Station Bridge.
Bids for the new bridge were opened on Apr. 13, 1934. The lowest bid was given by P. T. Cox Construction Company, Inc., of New York City, New York. Their bid was $243,202. Bridge construction began in May 1934. The four concrete piers and abutments were completed by Aug. 18, 1934. Steel arrived via railroad by the beginning of August 1934.
(Photo courtesy of Brian Hale)
The metal 10 Panel Rivet Connected Pratt Combination Truss bridge consisted of three spans measuring 276 feet each. There were two steel springer approach spans that needed constructed. Also, one riveted Warren with vertical deck truss span. The Pratt bridge style was invented by Thomas and Caleb Pratt in 1844. This type of bridge consists of vertical members and diagonals that slope down towards the center.
An unusual feature of the Hunter Station Bridge was the roadway. It was built in the middle of the truss. This was done to prevent flooding when the Allegheny River rose with ice jams and springtime rains. Once the Kinzua Dam was built, this problem was alleviated.
The steel work was completed by mid-October 1934. Painters were then hired to give three coats of paint. In mid November, the ground became too muddy to continue with the grading and moving of dirt. Cold weather set in by the end of the month, which prevented painters from finishing their job.
Once the ground froze, the construction crews were able to continue grading the roadway on the President side of the bridge. Dirt and rock were hauled across the new bridge to build up the road on the Hunter Station side of the bridge.
In April 1935, the painters finished the third coat of paint. The road from the bridge to Tionesta was completely finished by the end of May 1935. The Allegheny Highway to President was finished in June 1935. The paving was completed in July and the bridge was opened to all public traffic. This made the trip from Tionesta to Oil City quicker. Prior trips had to be made through Fryburg and Venus.
The completed bridge measured 1,051 feet. The roadway was 22 feet wide. Three main spans and three approach spans were included. The pedestrian walkway was on the north side of the bridge. Renovations to the bridge were done in 1971.
Currently, a new Four-Span Continuous Composite Steel Plate Girder Bridge is being constructed by Mekis Construction Company of Fenelton. Federal funds are covering the cost which is $23,774,703. When the new bridge is completed, the old Hunter Station Bridge will be lowered to the river and removed by pieces.
