Walnut Lane Memorial Bridge
The original Walnut Lane Memorial Bridge was a prestressed concrete girder bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, designed by Belgian Engineer Gustave Magnel and built by the City of Philadelphia. Completed and fully opened to traffic in 1951, this three-span bridge carried Walnut Lane over Lincoln Drive and Monoshone Creek. It was the first major prestressed concrete beam bridge designed and built in the United States when completed.
The form of the bridge was simple, and it looked similar to many highway bridges carrying traffic on US highways today. The bridge deck was supported by thirteen concrete girders, each spanning. These girders were prestressed by post-tensioning four wire cables embedded in the concrete. Although this type of construction had been used in Europe for quite some time, the Walnut Lane Memorial Bridge was innovative in the United States and led to the successful application of this technology in this country. The material-saving bridge cost about $700,000 to construct, about 30 percent cheaper than a regular concrete arch design.
The fascia beams of the main span exhibited longitudinal cracks in about 1957. The other girders exhibited no cracks. Through the years, the cracks in the fascia beams were repaired and monitored. However, in 1989, the Pennsylvania Depart of Transportation made the decision to replace the bridge superstructure. Because of the historical significance of the structure, the decision was controversial. However, the replacement structure comprises prestressed concrete girders and is similar in appearance to the original. The new bridge was completed in 1990.
A bronze plaque on the bridge's abutment reads:
| WALNUT LANE MEMORIAL BRIDGE Dedicated November 11, 1950 Opened to Traffic February 1, 1951 The First Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridge Built in the United States This structure is symbolic of the integrity and ability of the engineers and builders who during sixty six years – 1885-1951 – of Public Works Administrations, constructed many worthy projects for the City of Philadelphia. It is an outstanding example of the vision and courage these men showed in their planning and building. Bernard Samuel Mayor of Philadelphia |
A second plaque reads: "Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement / Designated May 1978"