Freeport Bridge - Bridges and Tunnels of Allegheny County and Pittsburgh, PA

View east (upstream)

Panoramic view east;

Elevation drawing

OFFICIAL NAME:
Donald R. Lobaugh Bridge

OTHER DESIGNATION:
Freeport Bridge
free610-1

LOCATION:
Freeport (Buffalo Twp., Butler Co.; Harrison Twp., Allegheny Co.; Allegheny Twp., Westmoreland Co.; Freeport, Armstrong Co.)

USGS 7.5" Topo Quad - UTM Coordinates:
Freeport - Zone 17; 0610 4502

CARRIES:
motor vehicles, 4 lanes, PA356

BETWEEN:
-- PA356 (Buffalo Twp., Butler Co.) near the mouth of Buffalo Creek on right descending bank of Allegheny River
-- PA356 (Garvers Ferry, Westmoreland Co.) on left descending bank of Allegheny River

CROSSES:
Allegheny River at Mile 28.6

TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION / DESIGN:
braced spandrel arch (cantilever), subdivided Warren deck truss

LENGTH OF MAIN SPAN:
426 ft clearance channel span

TOTAL LENGTH (including longest elevated ramp):

HEIGHT OF DECK:
47.0 ft clearance
Lock and Dam No. 4, Natrona, normal pool level 745.0 ft

YEAR ERECTED / ENGINEER:
1965, Pennsylvania Dept of Highways

ADDITIONAL INFO:
Crosses just south of the four corner intersection of four Pennsylvania counties. A small section of the northern truss crosses over the northeastern corner of Allegheny County

Replaced Garvers Ferry Bridge, a Parker truss, which was just upstream. The old bridge, opened in 1888, was closed 21 May 1957 when inspectors found it so rusted that they were unsure what was holding it in place. Emergency repairs were made, but the January 1959 flood sent a runaway barge into a bridge pier causing one section of the bridge to fall into the river. The section was raised and reattached so the bridge could be used while the replacement could be built.

The next motor vehicle crossing downstream is the George D. Stuart Bridge, Tarentum, at Mile 21.7; until 1952, the next motor vehicle crossing downstream would have been the C.L. Schmitt Bridge, New Kensington, at Mile 19. The next motor vehicle crossing upstream is the Ford City Bridge at Mile 41.

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Medal of Honor Citation:
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to

*LOBAUGH, DONALD R.

Rank and organization: Private, U .S. Army, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Afua, New Guinea, 22 July 1944.
Entered service at: Freeport, Pa. Birth: Freeport, Pa. G.O. No: 31, 17 April 1945.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Afua, New Guinea, on 22 July 1944. While Pvt. Lobaugh's company was withdrawing from its position on 21 July, the enemy attacked and cut off approximately 1 platoon of our troops. The platoon immediately occupied, organized, and defended a position, which it held throughout the night. Early on 22 July, an attempt was made to effect its withdrawal, but during the preparation therefor, the enemy emplaced a machinegun, protected by the fire of rifles and automatic weapons, which blocked the only route over which the platoon could move. Knowing that it was the key to the enemy position, Pfc. Lobaugh volunteered to attempt to destroy this weapon, even though in order to reach it he would be forced to work his way about 30 yards over ground devoid of cover. When part way across this open space he threw a hand grenade, but exposed himself in the act and was wounded. Heedless of his wound, he boldly rushed the emplacement, firing as he advanced. The enemy concentrated their fire on him, and he was struck repeatedly, but he continued his attack and killed 2 more before he was himself slain. Pfc. Lobaugh's heroic actions inspired his comrades to press the attack, and to drive the enemy from the position with heavy losses. His fighting determination and intrepidity in battle exemplify the highest traditions of the U.S. Armed Forces.

FIELD CHECKED:
25-Oct-1999

INFO SOURCES:
field check; USACE Allegheny River Nav. Charts; Valley News Dispatch, 14 Feb 1999; Gay J. Revi, freeportpa.org

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Introduction -- Nearby Structures

Page created:
Last modified: 04-July-2005

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