The Armstrong Tunnel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , connects Second Avenue at the South Tenth Street Bridge , under the Bluff where Duquesne University is located, to Forbes Avenue between Boyd Street and Chatham Square.
5-813: The tunnel was constructed between 1926 and 1927. The chief engineer was Vernon R. Covell of the Allegheny County Public Works Department. The tunnel portals were designed by a city architect, Stanley L. Roush, who is also noted for the Smithfield Street Bridge portals, the Pittsburgh City-County Building , the Corliss Tunnel , and many other municipal projects. The tunnel itself is characterized by twin bores of horseshoe cross-section, and bends halfway through. It also has
10-475: A pedestrian walkway on the western side. A legend mentioned by the site involves a notion that the bend in the tunnel was a mistake, and whoever was responsible committed suicide in shame. Chief engineer Covell did not kill himself, invalidating this legend. Author Bruce S. Cridlebaugh suspects the bend was related to mines or other geological factors, property rights (including Duquesne University), or alignments with existing or proposed roads. Since August 1987
15-540: The tunnels have provided cellular phone reception. The tunnels were named in honor of Joseph G. Armstrong , County Director of Public Works. Most of the bridges over the Pittsburgh's three rivers were replaced between 1910 and 1940, years which included Mr. Armstrong's terms as Mayor of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Commissioner. [REDACTED] Media related to Armstrong Tunnel at Wikimedia Commons Vernon R. Covell Vernon Royce Covell (1866–1949)
20-682: Was an American engineer. He was chief engineer of the Allegheny County Public Works Department. A number of his works are listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Vernon R. Covell was born in Jefferson, Ohio on December 13, 1866. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in civil engineering in 1895. He married Corrie Bailey on October 6, 1897, and they had one daughter. Covell died at his home in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania on December 21, 1949, and
25-687: Was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. His leadership and relative contribution vis-a-vis others in one design project is discussed in a HAER document. He was author of "The Bridge-Raising Program on the Allegheny River in Allegheny County," an article in the Proceedings of the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania 41 (1925): 83, and author of "Erecting a Self-Anchored Suspension Bridge—Seventh Street Bridge at Pittsburgh," in
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