Monday, April 7, 2014

Ambridge Today: The rubble that once was the American Bridge office building

The last of the American Bridge office building on 4th Street and Park Road was razed in February. So I was rather concerned to see that rubble from the building, in some places, good-sized hills of it, remained on the lot when I was in Ambridge at the end of March. And I've been told it's still there.


American Bridge office building rubble,
March 22, 2014
copyright Nancy Knisley

American Bridge office building rubble,
March 22, 2014
copyright Nancy Knisley

American Bridge office building rubble,
March 22, 2014
copyright Nancy Knisley

American Bridge office building rubble,
March 22, 2014
copyright Nancy Knisley

American Bridge office building rubble,
March 22, 2014
copyright Nancy Knisley

American Bridge office building rubble,
March 22, 2014
copyright Nancy Knisley

It seems to me that the rubble is a worse eyesore than the old building was when it was still standing. And more of a hazard too, especially since there is no fence to keep people out and the rubble in.

The rubble contains bricks, both single ones and sections, concrete slabs, and sharp pieces of wood and metal, plus other debris. I was told that a huge, deep hole--I'm guessing the office's basement--was near the Ohio River Boulevard end of the property. 


I also was told there were two "No Trespassing" signs on the 4th Street side of the lot which, I suppose, some expert determined would be enough to deter unauthorized people from stepping foot on the property. I never saw those signs since I was standing on the Park Road side where I saw none posted. 

And it looked like other trash had been dumped on the property--unless American Bridge had a time machine that allowed it to possess a CRT computer monitor 30-some years ago.



Trash with the American Bridge office rubble
March 22, 2014
copyright Nancy Knisley

Isn't leaving the rubble there for so long allowing pollutants to wash off the property when it rains or blow around in the wind? Aren't the people in charge of things in Ambridge concerned about rats proliferating, or mosquitoes breeding as the weather gets warmer? (If it ever gets warmer. That didn't seem to be happening when I was there. Snowed three times and was unseasonably cold.)

Such an ugly entry into Ambridge.

1 comment:

  1. jd aka john domansky

    as collectible as american bridge is today for many that spend big bucks on ebay & out right sales, i bet someone could have sold bricks from AB office, wonder why no one thought of that, or did someone?? a good ABCo spud wrench goes for 75 bucks, the USsteel out here in chicago area was home of the other AB plant & gary ind, had an ambridge section on 5th ave i think. some places bricks are recycled, cleaned up & sold for fireplaces, homes etc. i bet those bricks were top of the line quality.

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