Blairsville Area Veterans Memorial Bridge

The Blairsville Area Veterans Memorial Bridge, also called the Bairdstown Bridge and the Blairsville Bridge, is a 20 Panel Rivet-Connected Baltimore Through Truss. It was built in 1935, and it is unusual that a Baltimore Truss was used, since most bridges from this period were Pratt or Parker truss configurations. This bridge also has extensive lattice and v-lacing on the built-up beams, which gives it a high level of aesthetic value. The bridge was dedicated to veterans in 2017.

This is the fourth bridge at this location. The first bridge was built from 1821 to 1823, and was a covered Wernwag truss-arch bridge. It was 300 ft long, which made this bridge the longest single span arch in the United States when in was built. The bridge was operated as a toll bridge until 1865 and it collapsed in 1874. A new bridge was built from 1874 to 1875, and was a steel bridge utilizing the existing abutments. This bridge was destroyed by the Johnstown Flood on May 31, 1889. Later that year, the bridge was replaced by another steel bridge on the existing abutments. This bridge was abandoned 1935. The final (and still standing) bridge was built on new abutments slightly north of the previous bridges. However, the existing abutments are still present, and are being used as retaining walls for the current bridge.