Exploring a car-free Pittsburgh street during an Open Streets PGH event, showcasing the joy of pedestrian and cyclist access.
Pittsburgh’s vibrant spirit shines through initiatives like ‘Open Streets PGH‘. This remarkable nonprofit organization hosts events several times a year, temporarily transforming Pittsburgh by closing off streets to vehicles and opening them up for pedestrians and cyclists to explore. It’s an invitation to experience the city from a fresh perspective, embracing community and active living.
On a recent weekend, despite the less-than-perfect weather with rain threatening, Our Lady of the Pentacle and I were eager to immerse ourselves in the Open Streets experience. We decided to participate and see firsthand what this unique Pittsburgh event had to offer.
Our Open Streets adventure began in ‘Downtown’ Pittsburgh. The designated route was thoughtfully planned, winding through the heart of the business district and leading us towards the iconic Armstrong Tunnel, a structure usually dominated by car traffic. Navigating through the tunnel on foot was a novel experience, eventually leading us to the South Tenth Street Bridge and a crossing over the Monongahela River. This bridge delivered us into the lively South Side Flats neighborhood.
Pedestrians and cyclists enjoying the open space beside Pittsburgh’s Bridge of Sighs during Open Streets PGH, highlighting architectural landmarks accessible through the event.
Still relatively new to Pittsburgh, I am constantly discovering the city’s unique landmarks and geography. The photograph above captures Pittsburgh’s intriguing ‘Bridge of Sighs‘. This enclosed pedestrian bridge holds a fascinating history. Connecting the Allegheny County Courthouse to what was formerly the Allegheny County Jail, it served as a covered walkway for prisoners being escorted to court. This historical function is the origin of its evocative nickname, ‘Bridge of Sighs’, reminiscent of its Venetian counterpart.
For this Open Streets exploration, I opted for a wide-angle 16mm lens. Traveling light was a priority, partly due to the rainy conditions. Instead of zoom lenses, I carried my collection of prime lenses, favoring portability and a wider perspective to capture the urban landscape and the event’s atmosphere.
The Armstrong Tunnel entrance during Open Streets PGH, showing the tunnel carved into The Bluff, a prominent geographical feature in Pittsburgh.
Featured in this image is the Armstrong Tunnel, an impressive feat of engineering carved directly into ‘The Bluff’. This significant landform is also the location of Duquesne University, perched atop. The Armstrong Tunnel provides a crucial link to the northern bank of the Monongahela River. It’s worth noting that this tunnel has been undergoing extensive renovation and construction work for a significant portion of my time in Pittsburgh, a testament to ongoing infrastructure maintenance and improvement within the city.
Looking ahead, I plan to share more perspectives from inside the Armstrong Tunnel and the areas beyond in my next post, continuing to document and explore Pittsburgh’s fascinating urban environment.
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