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 Bob
Regan, Research Professor at SIS, has once again used
his Geographic Information Systems (GIS) skills to
produce “The Bridges of Pittsburgh,” a
182-page celebration of the 446 bridges within the
City of Pittsburgh. Released on June 12, 2006,
this volume offers 150 contemporary and historical
photos, ten self-guided tours, and a detailed list
of all the bridges in the city. Bob, along with photographer
Tim Fabian, documented in a 2005 study that there are
446 bridges located within or at the limits of the
City of Pittsburgh.
It
was originally estimated that there were fewer than
400: this publication asserts that Pittsburgh deserves
the title of “The City of Bridges,” traditionally
bestowed upon Venice, Italy (which boasts about 400
bridges). The book, published by The Local
History Company (Pittsburgh), covers the history
and types of bridges, pioneers in the designing and
building of the spans, and tours for walkers, drivers,
cyclists, and boaters. Intriguingly, the book
also includes a chapter on “unique Pittsburgh
bridges” including the underground bridge that
lies undisturbed under the Mary Schenley Fountain
at the University of Pittsburgh’s Frick Fine
Arts Building; the “Bridge of Sighs” which
is actually part of a famous building designed by
H. H. Richardson and which connects the old county
jail with the county courthouse; and the bridge in
a building – one inside the USX building that
carries light rail traffic. The book is being
lauded: “A celebration of the area’s
bridges that is precisely documented, user-friendly
and informative,” praises Al Tannler, of the
Pittsburgh History& Landmarks Foundation. In
a review for Columns Magazine, architect Bob Bailey
notes that “It is saturated with Pittsburgh
flavor, readily readable….”
This is the second
publication by author Regan and photographer Fabian. In
2004, the pair collaborated on “The Steps of
Pittsburgh: Portrait
of a City.” As in the previous book, GIS
technology was utilized to locate and plot the landmark
bridges. The book’s release is timed to
coincide with the opening of the annual International
Bridge Engineering Conference in Pittsburgh. On
June 12th, Regan and Fabian were honored with a citation
from Pittsburgh City Council. The author and
photographer will be making many public appearances
to support the release of “The
Bridges of Pittsburgh.” |
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