SPRING 2024 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY
Spring 2024 issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Magazine, the official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania.
Spring 2024 issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Magazine, the official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania.
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Jay Lynch
For the past 30 years, TODAY has been reporting
on the diligent work and impressive results of
community volunteers. Bighearted people who “look
out for others” make our community great. However,
sometimes a well-intended quest to be a Good
Samaritan can be humorously misguided.
While driving along McLaughlin Run Road last
October, I noticed that trusses were under construction
on the bridge to Pinebridge Commons. I assumed
that the 2018 flood and subsequent high water had
weakened the bridge and that superstructure enhancements
were being added to provide additional
strength. But something looked odd.
On closer inspection, I saw that the new trusses
were being assembled out of wooden 2x4s and planks,
not iron or steel, and were being bolted to guardrail
supports, not the main span. Although I graduated from an engineering
school, Purdue University, I was an economics student
and acquired no engineering training or wisdom. But I wondered
how flimsy wooden trusses could make the bridge stronger.
Since construction was still in process, I thought I’d have sufficient
time to locate the owner of the mall and alert him to any
safety issues, but I needed confirmation of my concerns. I took
a few photos and emailed them to my engineer friends, seeking
their professional opinions. The consensus response was alarming
— the design appeared to be dangerously inadequate, but
more photos were needed.
When I returned to the bridge to take more detailed pictures,
a fellow in a fancy pick-up truck saw me closely inspecting the
construction and taking pictures. He climbed out of his truck and
politely asked, “Can I help you, sir? Is there a problem?”
I replied, “Yes, indeed. I don’t think these new wood trusses
will do anything to support the weakened bridge. I need to find
the owner and suggest metal supports.”
He said, “You need look no further. I’m the owner.”
I said, “Great. I’m glad I found you.”
Then he said, “The bridge isn’t damaged, sir. It’s plenty strong.
The trusses aren’t structural, they’re symbolic. They’re promotional,
for marketing purposes, like a physical logo.”
While I was relieved that there was no danger to cars or pedestrians,
I remained confused, and asked, “How can trusses be
promotional?”
He replied loudly and slowly, as if my graying hair made me
hard of hearing, “Sir, the trusses are made of pine. You’re standing
on the pine bridge of Pinebridge Commons.”
We both had a good laugh at my misinterpretation, although
I was laughing to hide my embarrassment.
So, the next time you drive across the bridge, you can rest assured
that it’s safe and be thankful that a nebby neighbor didn’t
succeed in transforming it into a community eyesore — an
unnecessary jumble of steel I-beams and girders designed by an
economics major! n
Feedback and comments are welcome at bkefather@yahoo.com.
22 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Spring 2024
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