Emlenton Bridge Is The Tallest Bridge In Pennsylvania

Do you ever find it amazing how many places and things there are to discover in Pennsylvania? Perhaps we think we’ve finally seen or have done it all, and we’re surprised yet again. PA’s home to the City of Bridges – Pittsburgh – that, with 446 bridges, boasts the most of any city in the world. However, the tallest bridge in Pennsylvania is in Emlenton, and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Although it opened in 1968, the Emlenton Bridge didn’t earn its status as the tallest bridge in the state until 2003. That year, the tallest and longest bridge in Pennsylvania, Kinzua Bridge was…

Wikimedia Commons/Chris Light

Partially destroyed when a tornado ripped through the area. Today, the remnants of Kinzua Bridge span just 600 feet and stand 302 feet above the ground.

Flickr/Doug Kerr

The Kinzua Bridge has been transformed into a skywalk that overlooks the lush Allegheny National Forest floor. The Emlenton Bridge, on the other hand, holds the title of the tallest road bridge in…

Wikimedia Commons/Doug Kerr

Pennsylvania. It stands an impressive 270 feet tall. For a brief period from the time it opened in 1968 to 1971, the Emlenton Bridge was the tallest bridge in the entire United States.

Wikimedia Commons/Alcnfr

However, it lost that title to the Fred G. Redmon Bridge in Washington. The tallest bridge in the U.S. today is the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado, which stands 955 feet.

Wikimedia Commons/Emlenton Bridge

The Emlenton Bridge, a truss bridge made of steel, takes drivers on I-80 over the Allegheny River.

Flickr/Jon Dawson

If you want to cross over the Emlenton Bridge, carve out time to visit the town of Emlenton, too. Known as the “postcard town,” Emlenton is dotted with picturesque restaurants and shops.

Flickr/Paul Comstock

Have you ever been to the Emlenton Bridge, the tallest bridge in Pennsylvania? Share your experience in the comments! If you’ve not yet been to the former tallest bridge in PA, plan a visit to Kinzua Bridge.