Discover 4 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in New Brighton (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Fallston Bridge, Merrick Art Gallery, and Beaver River Railroad Bridge. Also, be sure to include New Brighton Public Library in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in New Brighton (Pennsylvania).
Table of Contents
Fallston Bridge
Truss bridge in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. The Fallston Bridge is a historic structure that crosses the Beaver River between the boroughs of New Brighton, and Fallston, Pennsylvania. The bridge was opened in 1884 to replace a tolled, wooden 1836 structure that was destroyed during a major flood. Crossing under a low-clearance railroad underpass on one side of the river and featuring a sharp approach ramp on the opposite shore, the dated structure is insufficiently designed for modern traffic and is often hazardous during rainy conditions. Although it was rehabilitated in 2003, the bridge still received only a 2 out of 100 rated from the Department of Transportation in terms of its structural status.
With a 3-ton weight limit in effect but various truck traffic in need of a nearby crossing due to the presence of a titanium plant, a new structure was built just downstream. The Veterans Memorial Bridge opened on May 26, 2014, after which it is estimated that the Fallston Bridge would carry only 15 percent of its previous traffic volume.
On February 17, 2015, Beaver County officials closed the bridge after a waterline burst, causing damages to the sidewalk and supports to the pedestrian section of the bridge. Before the closing, studies showed that the bridge needed $318,952.3 in repairs just to bring the bridge up to code. On March 4, 2015, officials decided to keep the bridge closed permanently. It is not expected to be demolished anytime soon due to demolition work costing an estimated $857,398.6.[1]
Merrick Art Gallery
Art museum in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. The Merrick Art Gallery is an early private art museum in western Pennsylvania, founded by industrialist Edward Dempster Merrick in 1880 in the old New Brighton, Pennsylvania railroad station. The gallery, or museum, was expanded to two connected buildings holding 240 works of art, and remains open, free-of-charge, to the public. The gallery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[2]
Address: 1100 5th Ave, 15066-2022 New Brighton
Beaver River Railroad Bridge
Bridge. The Beaver River Railroad Bridge crosses the Beaver River in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, carrying the tracks of the Fort Wayne Line. It was built in 1926, to a design by J.F. Leonard, the Pennsylvania Railroad's engineer in charge of bridges and buildings, for the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway. The riveted Warren deck truss main span and riveted deck girder western side spans have a total length of 1,221 feet. The deck truss spans vary from 122 feet to 219 feet, some of which are unusually shallow and skewed. It replaced an 1887 span, which was converted to road use, continuing in that role until it was replaced in 1985.[3]
New Brighton Public Library
Library
Address: 1021 3rd Ave, New Brighton