Bridging the Burgh: How Pittsburgh Regional Transit (Literally) Keeps the City Connected

If there’s one thing Pittsburghers like to brag about (besides our fries-on-sandwiches and salads lifestyle), it’s our bridges. With 446 bridges inside city limits - the most of any city in the world - Pittsburgh more than earns its nickname: “The City of Bridges.”

But here’s something you might not know: among those hundreds of bridges connecting our rivers, valleys, and hillsides, PRT maintains 79 bridges of its own. From the Panhandle Bridge, where light rail cars glide above the Monongahela, to the hidden overpasses and structures along our busway system, to local use only bridges inherited decades ago but do not carry any PRT transit service, PRT’s bridges are essential to keeping Pittsburgh moving.

A City Built on Elevation and Innovation

Pittsburgh’s geography doesn’t make life easy for commuters - or engineers. Where the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers meet, they carve out deep valleys and steep hillsides that divide neighborhoods into a patchwork of plateaus. Without bridges, we’d be living in isolated pockets, shouting “yinz over there?” across ravines.

From the city’s first wooden river bridges in the early 1800s to today’s steel giants, bridges have always been one of Pittsburgh’s great unifiers. The Smithfield Street Bridge, built in 1883, still stands proudly as the city’s oldest active bridge and a National Historic Landmark.

The Golden Age of Steel and Spans

Between 1924 and 1940, Pittsburgh launched a massive wave of bridge construction, shaping much of what we see today. Then came the Interstate Highway System, bringing even more crossings to meet the demands of modern traffic.

The result? A dazzling lineup of bridge types — suspension, cantilever, arch, and beyond — many crafted from locally made steel. And yes, many of them are painted “Aztec Gold,” our city’s unofficial love letter to the black and gold that defines Pittsburgh pride.

PRT’s 79 Bridges: Small but Mighty

While the City of Pittsburgh owns 143 active bridges, PRT’s transit bridges are the unsung heroes of public transportation. They might not all stretch across rivers or make postcard appearances, but they’re vital connectors in the transit system that millions rely on each year.

Last fiscal year, 42 of those bridges underwent recent inspections, ensuring the safety and reliability of the routes we depend on. It’s a behind-the-scenes effort that keeps buses, light rail, and thousands of daily riders moving smoothly across the city’s sprawling terrain.

Steel, Structure, and Spirit

Pittsburgh’s bridges aren’t just feats of engineering — they’re symbols of resilience and connection. Each span tells a story: of innovation, community and the city’s unwavering drive to connect people and places.

So next time you cross the Panhandle Bridge or cruise over a quiet busway span, take a moment to appreciate the steel beneath your wheels — and the teams at Pittsburgh Regional Transit who keep those 79 bridges safe, strong, and standing tall.