The GAP is built on the abandoned Western Maryland Railroad right-of-way.  The WMR from Cumberland to Connellsville was built between 1910 and  1912, and operated until 1975.  Ultimately, this single track rail line was controlled by the Chessie System, who abandoned it due to the costs of maintenance and to create interconnections with other lines.  Today, you can still hear the CSX rail line that operates on the opposite bank of the Youghiogheny.

The bridges and tunnels that were built to move freight between Pittsburgh and Baltimore were built in the short span of 2 years.  An amazing industrial feat, considering the rough terrain and numerous river crossing that were required.

Most of the original bridges are still in use by the trail, they were redecked to accommodate bike and foot traffic.   In Ohiopyle, State Route 381 underwent a realignment for a new highway bridge over the Youghiogheny River.  When this occurred, it caused the Western Maryland railroad bridge over RT 381 to not have sufficient clearance over the highway.  This caused the removal of a majority of the steel bridge structure.

THEN: Railroad

Ohiopyle’s original bridges

This picture is from approximately 1974, you can see the original Western Maryland Bridge in the background, and the original steel bridge from Route 381.  The replacement highway bridge was shifted downstream, or to the right about 20 feet.   The absence of this bridge created a dilemma for the completion of the trail.  Although the “hole” in the trail was only a few hundred yards long, the detour for bikers was across a highway that is quite busy and an area that is already quite congested with other park users.  Much wrangling occurred over how to fix this breach in the trail.   DCNR managed to find the funds to build a new bridge and also did the design and engineering.  The completion of the bridge, connected what was then known as the Yough River Trail North with the Yough River Trail South creating XXXXX contiguous miles of trail, what would become the heart of the Great Allegheny Passage.

GAP Bridge over the Yough

 NOW: Great Allegheny Passage

Although not an original bridge, this structure (IMHO) is the coolest structure on the trail.  It is located in Ohiopyle and crosses the Youghiogheny River.  It sits on the original piers that held the Western Maryland Railroad bridge for more than 100 years.  Look closely at the older picture and you will be able to see the concrete piers.   From this vantage point you are looking downstream towards the Ohiopyle Falls.   The bridge is about 250 yards above the falls.

Award winning bridge

Side historical note, this is the location where George Washington, was forced to come ashore and abandon his search for a water route to Pittsburgh( forks of the Ohio) in 1754.  We can cover that in another blog.

The bridge was built during the summer of 1999 and placed into service in the summer of 2000.  Construction of the bridge was quite tricky due to constraints of the site, endangered plants, wetlands etc.  The epic drought of 1999 was actually quite fortutious for this project.  The large crane that lived in the river most of the summer was literally pulled out of the river the day before a high water “event”.

The mile markers increase headed west

If you are biking the Great Allegheny Passage from end to end, you will find this bridge between mile marker 71 and 72.  This will be the first bridge you encounter as you arrive from the east.  There are 2 bridges in this mile of trail.  The second bridge is called the “High Bridge”.

Check out more old pictures of the Ohiopyle Bridges and the Great Allegheny Passage Bridge on Google +

Stay tuned for future installments of Great Allegheny Passage; Bridges.  We plan on placing a spotlight on all of the beautiful historical structures along the GAP.

Those stories and others including great images  from along the trail can be found  on our Great Allegheny Passage Blog

If you are in Ohiopyle stop into the shop and say hello.

Directions to Ohiopyle are hiding behind that link.

Wilderness Voyageurs

103 Garrett Street, Ohiopyle PA 15470

800-272-4141

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#ohiopyle