Category:Tilghman Street Bridge

The Tilghman Street bridge over the Jordan Creek and Valley was opened in August 1908. It connected Allentown's Tenth and Sixth Wards from Jordan Street in the west to 2d Street in the east. Prior to the bridge, Tilghman Street consisted of substantially steep grades on both the east and west sides of the Jordan Creek, and traffic either crossed the creek on a rickety wooden span, or used the Gordon Street bridge several blocks to the south.

Discussion for the bridge began in 1903, and it was funded by City Council, along with the Lehigh Valley Transit Company in 1907. Design and engineering was also completed in 1907, and it was built with Carnagie Steel. It was given a smooth asphalt surface. The bridge was substantially upgraded in 1929 when Tilghman Street became U.S. 22 and the amount of traffic was significantly increased by the opening of the larger Tilghman Street Viaduct, which crossed the Lehigh River and linked Allentown's east side Union Boulevard to Tilghman at Front Street. Initially used for streetcars, the upgrade moved the LVT trolley line off the bridge to allow it for vehicle use only.

The steel bridge served the city for decades. In 1940, engineers reported the bridge needed major repair due to deterioration, however due to World War II, repairs were delayed until April 1944 when sufficient resources could be made available. In 1981 plans were made to replace it due to structural deterioration. In August 1985, the bridge was closed to heavy buses and trucks again due to deterioration and in April 1986, it was closed for demolition. A replacement concrete bridge was constructed and opened in December 1986.