Pittsburgh Main Thoroughfares and the Down Town District

Chapter XIII: Appendix: II

Text size

_Amount and Importance of River Traffic._--The following statistics were obtained from the United States Engineers' office and show the number of boats, net tonnage and number of passengers passing Dam No. 1 in the Allegheny River during the year 1909:

TABLE NO. 1

================================================
Month |No. vessels|No. passengers|Tonnage of
| | | cargoes
----------+-----------+--------------+----------
January | 338 | 16 | 30,889
February | 358 | 18 | 30,073
March | 1,055 | 25 | 81,424
April | 732 | 197 | 51,457
May | 896 | 1,506 | 57,269
June | 958 | 1,248 | 56,324
July | 901 | 2,495 | 37,888
August | 868 | 2,019 | 29,102
September | 1,006 | 1,681 | 36,759
October | 955 | 982 | 53,622
November | 789 | 616 | 42,827
December | 495 | 231 | 29,086
----------+-----------+--------------+----------
Total | 9,351 | 11,034 | 536,720
----------+-----------+--------------+----------

The following are statistics of counts taken in 1909 at the different bridges:

TABLE NO. 2

Assuming that the ratio between the number of vessels during any given period and the total for the year is the same at all bridges as at Dam No. 1; and assuming that the relative number of different kinds of vessels are the same at all bridges; and further assuming that the average weight of cargo is the same at all bridges as recorded at Dam No. 1, we reach the estimates of total traffic under the bridges given in Table No. 3.

FOR THE YEAR 1909--TABLE NO. 3

-------------------------+--------+-----------+-----------+------------
| | | | [43]Wt. of
Location of count | No. of |[43]Weight | Weight of | vessels
|vessels |of vessels | cargoes | and cargoes
-------------------------+--------+-----------+-----------+------------
Sixth Street Bridge | 21,763 | 1,097,378 | 1,247,020 | 2,344,398
Ninth Street Bridge | 25,904 | 1,311,823 | 1,484,299 | 2,796,122
Fort Wayne Bridge | 20,685 | 1,043,020 | 1,185,250 | 2,228,270
Thirtieth Street Bridge | 9,706 | 489,416 | 556,154 | 1,045,570
J. R. R. Bridge | 8,030 | 404,905 | 460,119 | 865,024
Forty-third Street Bridge| 6,636 | 334,613 | 380,243 | 714,856
-------------------------+--------+-----------+-----------+------------

The largest total, that passing under the Ninth Street bridge, is without doubt somewhat less than the total traffic on the river, and a careful study of the figures would seem to indicate that the total water-borne traffic of the Allegheny River in 1909 amounted to about one and three-quarter (1¾) million tons of cargo or three and one-half (3½) million tons gross displacement, including cargoes, barges, tugs and all vessels.

The water-borne commerce on this river is of the cheapest character, consisting almost entirely of sand and gravel dredged from the rivers and coal floated down the Monongahela and delivered along the shores. All this sand, gravel and coal is carried in low-lying barges or scows moved by tugs or towboats.

A small amount of package freight comes in and leaves by packet boats.

TABLE NO. 4

TONNAGE PASSING DAM NO. 1 DURING YEAR 1909. (OBTAINED FROM
UNITED STATES ENGINEERS)

Coal 231,232 tons
Other iron or steel products 428 tons
Sand 132,894 tons
Gravel 123,579 tons
Brick 75 tons
Stone 3,869 tons
Timber 8,519 tons
Lumber 3,519 tons
Pit posts 13,950 tons
Braces 600 tons
Railroad ties 6,650 tons
Wood 45 tons
General merchandise 3,119 tons
New barges 2,628 tons
New boats (coal) 3,940 tons
Manure 1,000 tons
Bark 455 tons

The average value of the freight based on prices prevailing in 1910 is about $3 a ton. The average value of the carriers is about $65 a ton. As there is a slightly greater weight of freight than carrier, an average of $30 per ton would be a fair estimate of the value of freight and carriers. The total value of the water-borne traffic of the Allegheny River for the year under the various bridges would, therefore, be about $105,000,000.

The passenger traffic on the river is so small that it may be considered negligible. It is estimated at 35,000, largely pleasure traffic in small boats.

About one-third as much tonnage goes through Lock No. 2 as through Lock No. 1, and about one-sixteenth as much goes through Lock No. 3 as through Lock No. 1. There is no navigation on the river above the third pool. It is claimed, however, that with the further canalization of the river above Dam No. 3 and the raising of the bridges this traffic would be greatly increased. It is to be hoped that there will be a considerable increase, but there are distinct limitations on the probable amount of the increase. The Monongahela has a larger and more highly favored local territory to draw upon for freight than the Allegheny so that under the best of conditions, with every possible improvement of navigation, the traffic on the Allegheny can never be expected to approach that upon the Monongahela.

The total amount of freight of all kinds passing Dam No. 1 on the Monongahela in 1909, was 5,417,873, or a little more than ten times the amount on the Allegheny, while the tonnage passing over the Allegheny bridges is thirty times greater than the tonnage on the Allegheny River.[44] Yet, if conceivably the traffic on the Allegheny should equal that now on the Monongahela, it would still be only one-third that _over_ the Allegheny bridges.

Since the figures for the present traffic over the Allegheny River bridges are used for comparison with the present river traffic, and since the former must continue to grow steadily with the growth of the Pittsburgh industrial district, it seems quite clear that no conceivable growth in the latter can seriously affect the overwhelming predominance of the bridge traffic in amount and value.[44]

FOOTNOTES:

[32] Appendix II.

[33] The maximum gradients here given assume the improvement of the short pitches now existing on some of the bridge approaches.

[34] Gradients for this clearance height are greater than those shown on United States Engineers' plans because of greater width of channel. If United States Engineers' plans were adopted the maximum gradients would be as follows: Sixth Street, 4.35%; Seventh Street, 4.93%, and Ninth Street, 4.98%.

[35] 3.64 per cent (United States Engineer's Office) or 4.0 per cent, (City Bureau of Construction.)

[36] Given as 6.35 per cent on United States Engineers' Sections.

[37] Automobiles and carriages included in counts for light and heavy wagons.

[38] Table 1A. The count at Seventh Street bridge was recorded by different units and, therefore, required a separate table. The North Side approach to this bridge was being improved at the same time the count was made, causing a temporary interference with travel reflected in an abnormally small proportion of traffic on the bridge and a corresponding increase for the adjacent bridges.

[39] In estimating the gross tonnage, the following average weights were used: a street car with average load--19 tons; a heavy wagon (including team), averaging loaded and empty vehicles--4 tons; a light wagon (including team), averaging loaded and empty vehicles--1.75 tons; an automobile or carriage (including team),--.9 tons; pedestrians and passengers are figured at 150 pounds apiece.

[40] Estimating heavy and light wagons, including team and load at $125 per ton; carriages and automobiles, including teams, at $300 per ton; cars at $160 per ton and live stock at $200 per ton, we get an average tonnage value of $150 over the Sixth Street, Seventh Street[41] and Ninth Street bridges, and $125 over the Sixteenth Street, Thirtieth Street and Forty-third Street bridges.

[41] The figures for pedestrians, passengers and general tonnage are taken from the affidavit of John C. Perrott. The tonnage of mail was obtained from the report of the U. S. Post-office Department.

[42] See Note under Table 1A.

[43] The following data as to weight of vessels was kindly furnished by Mr. J. F. Tilley:

WEIGHTS OF RIVER CRAFT WITHOUT FREIGHT

Medium tows 800 tons
Pool tows 175 tons
Barges 55 tons
Coal boats 105 tons
Flats 30 tons

In estimating we assumed the following average weights for river craft, based in large measure upon the above data:

Steamboats 225 tons
Coal boats and barges 80 tons
Barges 55 tons
House boats, excursion boats, yachts, and U. S. Government boats 45 tons
Launches, skiffs, etc. 1 ton
Motor boats and miscellaneous 10 tons

[44] See Diagrams 1, 2 and 3.

INDEX

Allegheny River Boulevard, 79.

Allegheny River Bridges, 133-165.

Allegheny River Heights, 145-149.

Allegheny River Parkway, 120.

Amount and Importance of Bridge Traffic, 137, 138, 160-162.

Amount and Importance of River Traffic, 138-140, 162-165.

Amount and Importance of Traffic Affected, 137-140.

Appendix I, Bridge Report, 160-162.

Appendix II, Bridge Report, 162-165.

Ardmore Thoroughfare, 73.

Areas Reached by High- and Low-level Tunnel Routes, 54.

Arlington Avenue and Washington Avenue Connection, 85.

Aspinwall Bridge, The, 59, 60.

Baltimore Surveys, 100.

Batavia Street, 71.

Bates Run Connection, 63, 64.

Baum Street Improvement, 65.

Beechview Thoroughfare, 83.

Beechwood Boulevard Connection, 68, 69.

Beechwood Boulevard Parkway, 120, 121.

Beechwood Boulevard Re-alignment, 70.

Bell Avenue Extension, 73.

Bellefield Improvement, The, 101-106.

Bluff Street Hillside, 122.

Boats for Non-Tidal Rivers, 151-153.

Boundary Street Improvement, 69.

Braddock Avenue--Northerly End, 72.

Braddock Avenue Viaduct, 72.

Bridge Report, Special, 133-165.

Bridges over the Seine, Paris, 154.

Bridge Street Improvement, 78.

Bridge Traffic, 137, 138, 160-162.

Brighton Road Connection, 75, 76.

Brighton Road Viaduct, 76.

Brownsville Road, 86.

Butler Street Improvement, 59.

California Avenue and Brighton Road Extension, 75, 76.

Carrick Connection from the South Hills Tunnel, 84, 85.

Carson Street, 79, 80.

Center Avenue Improvement, 65.

Chartiers Avenue Grade Crossing, 80.

Chartiers Valley Parks, 118.

City and the Allegheny River Bridges, The, 133-165.

Civic Center, A, 11-17.

Clearance Heights, Conclusions as to, 153.

Comparison of Bridge and River Traffic, 140.

Considerations against Requiring Changes in Bridges to be made at
Present, 157-159.

Corliss Street, 80, 81.

Cost of Living in Pittsburgh, XIII.

Crafton-Carnegie Connection, 81.

Crafton Hillside Thoroughfare, 81.

Diamond Street Widening, 17.

Down Town District, The, 5-30.

Dravosburg and Mifflin Township Thoroughfares, 74-75.

Duquesne Bridge, 75.

Eastward Arteries and Their Improvement, 6-9.

East Liberty Improvements, 65-67.

East Ohio Street, 77, 78.

East Street, 76, 77.

Effect of Different Bridge Heights upon River Traffic, 145-151.

Effect of Various Possible Bridge Heights upon the Traffic Over the
Bridges, 141-145.

Effect of Various Solutions, 140.

Eighth Avenue Branch to Dravosburg, 75.

Eighth Avenue Branch Westward, 75.

Eighth Avenue Improvement, 75.

Ellsworth Avenue Extension, 62.

Etna Improvement, 78.

Etna Park, 118.

Etna Playground, 118.

Fairhaven County Road, 84.

Fifth Avenue--Center Avenue Connections at Soho, 61, 62.

Forbes Street--Fifth Avenue Connection at Soho, 60, 61.

Forbes Street Artery, 47-49, 60, 61.

Forbes Street Extension, 72, 73.

Forty-third Street Bridge, 59.

Full Report (Allegheny River Bridges), 134-165.

General Map of the Pittsburgh District, Facing page 1.

General Plan of Down Town District, Facing page 9.

Glenwood Bridge, 64, 65.

Grade Crossings, 10, 56, 57, 59, 64, 71, 75, 78, 79, 80.

Grant Boulevard, 106-108.

Grant Boulevard Extension, 11.

Greenfield and Squirrel Hill Extension, 64.

Greenfield Avenue Connection, 64.

Greensburg Pike, 74.

Greensburg Pike South of Turtle Creek, 74.

Guyasuta Park, 120.

Haights Run Bridge, 59.

Haights Run Thoroughfare, 67, 68.

Haights Run Valley Park, 121, 122.

Hamilton Avenue Extension, 65, 66.

Hazelwood Grade Crossing, 64.

Highway Bridges, 141-144, 160, 161.

Hillsides, Steep, 100-112.

Howley Street Connection, 58.

"Hump Cut," The, 10, 11, 128-132.

Index to Outlying Thoroughfare Improvements, 88-91.

Introduction, 1-4.

Introduction (Allegheny River Bridges), 133.

Lang Avenue Connection, 83.

Larimer Avenue Extension, 66.

Letter of Transmissal, XI.

Lowry's Lane, 77.

Main Arteries (Main Thoroughfares), 44-56.

Main Arteries (The Down Town District), 5, 6.

Main Street Grade Crossing, 79.

Main Thoroughfares, 31-92.

Management and Cost of Surveys, 98.

Maps of Surveys, 96-98.

Market Street Widening, 17, 18.

Market, The, 18, 123-128.

Meadow Street Connection, 68.

Millvale Playground, 118.

Millvale Thoroughfare, 78.

Modern Type of Boats for Non-tidal Rivers, 151-153.

Monongahela Hillside Thoroughfare, 62, 63.

Moultrie Street Playground, 117.

Mt. Washington Hillside, 122.

Murray Avenue Extension, 69, 70.

Need for Surveys, Pittsburgh's, 93, 94.

Negley Run Boulevard, 66.

Negley Run Parkway, 121.

Neighborhood Parks, 113-116.

New York Surveys, 98, 99.

Nine Mile Run Park, 119, 120.

North Side Improvements, 75-77.

Objects to Be Secured by Surveys, 94, 95.

Ohio Street, East, 77.

Outlying Thoroughfare Improvements, 56-92.
(Index, 88-91.)
(Map, 92.)

Park Opportunities, Special, 117-122.

Parks and Recreation Facilities, 101-122.

Parks, General Discussion, 113-117.

Penn Avenue Artery, 44-46.

Penn-Liberty Connection at Howley Street, 58.

Piers and Channels, 153-157.

Plan for the Proposed Hump Cut, 129.

Point, The Improvements of the, 29, 30.

Purpose of the Report, XIII.

Railroad Bridges, 144, 145, 161, 162.

Rankin Improvement, 72.

Rankin Playground, 118, 119.

Recommendations (Allegheny River Bridges), 133, 134, 159, 160.

Recommendations, Specific (Main Arteries), 44-56.

Recommendations, Specific (Outlying Thoroughfares), 56-92.

Recommendations, Urgent, 2, 3.

River Traffic, 138-140, 162-165.

Rural Parks, 116, 117.

Sample Maps, 98.

Sassafras Street Outlet, 58.

Sawmill Run Hillside Thoroughfare, 83, 84.

Sawmill Run Parkway, 119.

Sawmill Run Thoroughfare, 81, 82.

Second Avenue Extension, 70, 71.

Second Avenue Freight Yards, 10.

Sharpsburg Bridge, 59.

Silver Lake Playground, 121.

Sixteenth Street Bridge, 56.

Sixth Avenue, 9, 10.

Soho Connections, 60-62.

South Eighteenth Street, 85, 86.

Southern Avenue Connection, 82, 83.

South Hills Artery, 49-56, 81-85.

South Hills Tunnel and Thoroughfare Routes, Profiles of, 53.

South Side Improvements, 49-56, 79, 85-87.

South Tenth Street, 86.

Special Park Opportunities, 117-122.

Special Reports, 123-165.

Special Types of Thoroughfares, 34-37.

Squaw Run Park, 120.

Squaw Run Thoroughfare, 79.

Stanton Avenue Connection to the Lincoln District, 68.

Steep Hillsides, 109-112.

Streets Run, 74.

Surveys and a City Plan, 93-100.

Sycamore Street Grade Crossing and Bridge Street Improvement, 78.

Technical Procedure for Surveys, 95, 96.

Thirty-third Street Improvement, 57, 58.

Traffic Center, A New, 9.

Troy Hill Road, 77.

Try Street Grade Crossing, 10.

Tunnel Routes, Areas Reached by High- and Low-Level, 54.

Twenty-eighth Street Grade Crossing, 57.

Twenty-second Street Bridge Approach--South Side, 86, 87.

Types of Thoroughfares, Special, 34-37.

Unified Procedure for City, County and Borough, 43, 44.

Washington Avenue Improvement, 82.

Washington Avenue Improvement East, 85.

Washington Road, 81.

Water Front, The, 19-28.

West Broadway Extension, 83.

West End Improvements, 80, 81.

Widening Old Streets, 37-43.

Width of Thoroughfares, 31-34.

Wilkinsburg-Edgewood Connection, 71, 72.

Wilkinsburg Grade Crossings, 71.

Wilkins Township Thoroughfares, 73, 74.

Wind Gap Road, 80.

Woodstock Avenue Extension, 73.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical
errors.

Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.

Enclosed italics markup in _underscores_.

Enclosed bold markup in =equals=.

Comments

Pittsburgh Main Thoroughfares and the Down Town DistrictChapter XIII: Appendix: II

0%9 min left in chapter