In June, civic leaders unveiled their Vision Plan, outlining an ambitious program that would revitalize downtown Pittsburgh, which is slowly recovering from the pandemic years. “I knew that our path toward a reimagined downtown depended on collaborating with everyone who has a stake in its vibrancy,” Mayor Gainey said. “My team worked to forge new partnerships, and we have been successful in bringing a broad coalition of people together so we can make sure that the downtown Pittsburgh of tomorrow is a downtown that is safe, welcoming and thriving for everyone who lives, works or plays here.”
While the Vision Plan is forward-thinking, underscoring both commerce and community, there is no provision in it regarding the Roberto Clemente Bridge. And why should the Clemente be considered part of the design to revive downtown Pittsburgh? Because converting the bridge into a pedestrian crossing or a linear park could spark rapid growth for the city, bringing in tourists, establishing a cultural attraction, encouraging mobility and social interaction, and providing an economic boost to the area.
Shown on nearly every telecast of a Steelers or Pirates game at PNC Park, the Roberto Clemente, one of the nearly identical Three Sisters bridges that span the Allegheny River, has become an iconic symbol of Pittsburgh. By converting the bridge into a public space, a major piece of infrastructure shifts its purpose and, more importantly, its recognizability, from a utilitarian one to an experiential one. While some Pennsylvanians may not mind driving across the Clemente, they might not use “enjoyment” as the best way to describe their commute.
Another reason to consider repurposing the bridge is that, recently, the Clemente has often been a part-time route. For years, the bridge has been closed to traffic during home games for the Steelers and the Pirates, allowing it to function as a pedestrian crossing, and, in a sense, acting as a proof-of-concept for its potential conversion into a car-free environment. At other times, the Clemente has been closed to traffic for special events (including, among others, Picklesburgh and Unity Walk), highlighting its potential as a vibrant public space. In the past, road repairs and inspections often closed the bridge, until, finally, the Clemente underwent a two-year rehabilitation upgrade that ended in early 2024.
Although the bridge is not necessarily underutilized, its usefulness has, to a certain extent, diminished. For the first three decades of its existence, the Roberto Clemente split local traffic with the Andy Warhol and the Rachel Carson bridges when Pittsburgh had an average population of more than 650,000. With fewer than half that number of people today, it stands to reason that converting the Clemente into a pedestrian bridge will have a negligible effect on road capacity.
Given the fact that the shots on Pirates and Steelers broadcasts routinely feature jolly crowds milling on the bridge, re-imagining the Clemente is hardly a far-fetched proposal. Indeed, several cities across the country have repurposed bridges and constructed pedestrian crossings to create dynamic public spaces and promote social interaction and connectivity.
In Dallas, the Ronald Kirk Bridge (formerly the Continental Avenue Bridge) comes close to what the Clemente might look like as a pedestrian crossing. With a meditation labyrinth, a rock wall, and a playground, the Ronald Kirk is a bridge that acts as more than just a crossing: it brings the community together to interact in a serene, scenic environment.
Almost a decade ago, Portland opened the elegant Tilikum Crossing, a pedestrian bridge designed and constructed to encourage transportation options. The Tilikum Crossing is an unusual hybrid, featuring a light rail and a bus lane, expanding mass transit options while avoiding haphazard vehicular gridlock at peak hours. This multi-modal approach reduces traffic congestion overall in Portland by offering dependable alternatives to driving.
In New York City, the High Line stands out as one of the most commercially and aesthetically pleasing bridge transformations of all. Formerly a freight train rail, the High Line is now a lush, elevated garden that has attracted tourists in droves, helped spearhead the revival of the Meatpacking District, and hosts multiple arts events per year.
Repurposing the Clemente could have a similar impact. Among the many benefits of converting the bridge into a pedestrian crossing are encouraging physical activity, stimulating economic growth, linking communities, diversifying the urban landscape, and extending the Cultural District.
Our vision for the Clemente as a linear park or a pedestrian crossing includes a permanent garden, fixed seating, a protected bike lane, and space for a temporary market for pop-up shops, arts installations, food trucks, book fairs, and civic initiatives (such as blood-drives and employment expos). Another important part of the Clemente would be a temporary entertainment area, with a stage (at the PNC Park end of the bridge) for theater, film, concerts, and dance performances. Of course, there are several other possible activities suitable for the Clemente, including fitness classes, farmers markets, and educational fairs. In addition, having temporary structures on the bridge would also allow for its use as a possible platform for national or regional events, such as the NFL draft or various “National Celebration” days, of which there are plenty to choose from.
As an existing structure, the Roberto Clemente Bridge has the additional benefit of being a readymade asset, sidestepping potential obstacles such as financing and the potential messiness of long-term construction. And because of this broad array of potential activities, the bridge will, through rentals and taxes, generate revenue dedicated to its upkeep. Ideally, part of the revenues should go to a fund managed by a major non-profit for Pittsburgh social and civic programs. Adding a unique, cost-effective Pittsburgh landmark into renewal plans creates a destination that would attract visitors drawn by the events and the picturesque setting.
For nearly two weeks, beginning October 3, the Roberto Clemente Bridge will host Oktoberfest Pittsburgh celebrations, and, as part of the all-ages Karneval, a 60-foot Ferris Wheel will grace its deck. In a way, the temporary Ferris Wheel also has a certain symbolic value: it highlights the possibilities of the Roberto Clemente Bridge as more than just a transportation link between the North Shore and Downtown. In fact, the bridge could be a key element to downtown revitalization plans.