NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
19 November 2003

MARKET STREET BRIDGE RESTORED TO EARLY-1900’S SPLENDOR; DRAMATIC NEW ANTIQUE-STYLE STREETLIGHTS, UNDERARCH LIGHTING & REHABBED ENTRANCE FIXTURES PRODUCE GRAND NEW GATEWAY TO CITY

Harrisburg, PA—Harrisburg’s majestic Market Street Bridge has undergone a dramatic transformation into a grand new city gateway that reflects its early-Twentieth Century appearance, Mayor Stephen R. Reed noted today during dedication ceremonies for the 1926-era historic structure. Now completed is an extensive rehabilitation and beautification project that involved the restoration of the Bridge’s historic entrance fixtures and plazas, and the installation of dramatic new lighting both on and beneath the bridge.

The project was conceived by the Mayor and work began earlier this Spring.

The project involved:

• Installation of 32 replicas of the original, antique lantern-styled light fixtures on the bridge piers between the downtown and City Island. The originals were removed in the 1950’s.
• Placement of 18 antique-styled, tear-drop streetlights on the piers between City Island and the West Shore
• Addition of showcase lighting under the bridge arches between downtown and City Island, creating a dramatic nighttime visual effect that is even further enhanced and complemented by the nearby Walnut Street Bridge, where outline lighting was installed by the city 15 years ago, and by the nearby City Island structures, which are also outlined in lights.
• Restoration of the original cast-iron lighted signage fixtures on the the West Shore entrance to the bridge, which have not functioned since being damaged in the 1972 Agnes Flood.
• Restoration of the original cast-iron fixtures, plaza and landscaping at the East Shore entranceway plaza to the bridge.
• Restoration of the electrical distribution system and lighting controls.
• Restoration of several historic plaques commemorating various replacement and rehabilitation projects mounted on the east end pillars, and the installation of a new plaque commemorating the now completed restoration and lighting project.

“The Market Street Bridge has long served this City and region as a signature gateway into Pennsylvania’s Capital City,” said Mayor Reed, “With the completion of this extensive improvement effort, this enduring symbol of our early Twentieth Century prominence has attained a grandeur that exceeds even that of when it first opened. It is a magnificent new entranceway that truly reflects Harrisburg’s ongoing renaissance.”

Reed said the city was the sponsor of the project, and utilized $1,224,126 in Transportation Enhancement Funds from the Federal Highway Administration, which were administered by the state Dept. of Transportation. Brinjac Engineering, Inc. of Harrisburg served as project engineer, lighting designer and constructruction manager, with Carr and Duff, Inc., of Huntingdon Valley, PA the successful low-bidder for construction contracting. City Engineer Joseph V. Link served as Project Manager for the design contract and during the seven-month long construction effort.

Reed said the Market Street Bridge river crossing has been a signature fixture of the midstate since the early 1800’s. Its predecessor, called the Camelback Bridge because of its unique arched construction, was designed by Theodore Burr and initially completed in 1817. Fires, floods and ice took their toll on the structure and it underwent partial reconstruction in 1842,and again in the post-Civil War era after it was badly damaged by fire in 1866.

The Mayor said the bridge was considered a key strategic target of invading Confederate General Robert E. Lee in 1863, and the city’s defenses at the time were centered around protecting the structure from capture.

Following another devastating flood in 1902, the bridge was replaced as a two lane structure in 1904. In 1926, the bridge as we know it today was completed by the internationally-renowned firm of Modjeski & Masters, who also built the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Additional work was performed in the 1950’s, when many of its historic lighting and signage fixtures were either removed or destroyed.

The Mayor said he wants to see similar projects undertaken for the State Street and Mulberry Street bridges in the future as funding allows.

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