160-521: The Fern Hollow Bridge is a series of three bridges in the East End of Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania, United States; each bridge carried Forbes Avenue over a large ravine in Frick Park . The first Fern Hollow Bridge opened in 1901 as a steel deck arch, and was demolished in 1972 while the second bridge was being built. The second bridge opened in 1973 and collapsed on January 28, 2022. Construction of
320-608: A 10-acre (4.0 ha) site on the North Side's Observatory Hill at the location of its Allegheny Observatory . There, it constructed two new buildings, Science Hall and Main Hall, that were occupied by 1889 and 1890 respectively. During this era, the first collegiate football team was formed at Pitt in 1889. In 1892, the Western Pennsylvania Medical College was amalgamated into the university (now
480-542: A 5 ft (1.5 m) wide sidewalk, while the south side has a 10 ft 5 in (3.18 m) wide shared-use path. The overall width is 64 ft (20 m). After viewing the proposed design, the Pittsburgh Art Commission called it "very similar to any highway overpass" and urged Mayor Gainey and Governor Wolf to pause the design, despite its role as "an important connection ... [that] really needs to be [rebuilt] with speed" as "the aesthetics of
640-535: A C grade, and improving from the 46th to 54th most polluted by ozone smog. According to daily ozone air quality data provided by the EPA, from 2021 to 2024, Pittsburgh had good or moderate air quality most of the time. Then-Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald said in December 2023 that they’d seen an "80 % drop in hazardous air pollutants" and that they made EPA attainment at all eight county air monitors for
800-547: A decrease in city population, even as the metropolitan area population increased again. During the late 2000s recession , Pittsburgh was economically strong, adding jobs when most cities were losing them. It was one of the few cities in the United States to see housing property values rise. Between 2006 and 2011, the Pittsburgh metropolitan statistical area (MSA) experienced over 10% appreciation in housing prices,
960-401: A design by Charles Klauder for the "tall building": an attention-getting 535-foot (163 m) tower whose great height, with open spaces all around, would suggest the "character that ought to be in an educated man." The building's "parallel lines going up and up...would express courage [and] fearlessness" and it would "unify Pittsburgh into a community conscious of its character." The cathedral
1120-613: A free state after the Revolution, enslaved African Americans sought freedom here through escape as refugees from the South, or occasionally fleeing from travelers they were serving who stayed in the city. There were active stations of the Underground Railroad in the city, and numerous refugees were documented as getting help from station agents and African-American workers in city hotels. The Drennen Slave Girl walked out of
1280-685: A growing residential segment. Most significantly, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is embarking on RiverParc, a four-block mixed-use "green" community, featuring 700 residential units and multiple towers of between 20 and 30 stories. The Firstside portion of Downtown borders the Monongahela River, the historic Mon Wharf and hosts the distinctive PPG Place Gothic-style glass skyscraper complex. New condo towers have been constructed and historic office towers are converted to residential use, increasing 24-hour residents. Downtown
1440-552: A joint engineering institute and program with Sichuan University in Chengdu , and Pitt's School of Medicine has established an exchange program for biomedical research students with Tsinghua University in Beijing , China. In its 2023-2024 rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Pitt 67th among national universities. Princeton Review placed Pitt among its "Best Value Public Colleges", while Kiplinger rated Pitt
1600-426: A loud boom and a whooshing noise around 6:35–6:40 a.m. Many credited the early morning time of collapse for the lack of fatalities, as the bridge was a route for many school buses, PRT buses, and commuters to work. Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire Chief Darryl Jones said it was very fortunate the collapse occurred before the morning rush hour. The bridge was blanketed with snow from an overnight storm that had passed through
1760-799: A major archeological research site, the Allen L. Cook Spring Creek Preserve , in Spring Creek, Wyoming . Athletic facilities of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers that are located in Oakland in the upper campus and include the Charles L Cost Sports Center , Fitzgerald Field House , the Petersen Events Center , Trees Hall and Trees Field . An approximately $ 30 million upgrade of on-campus sports facilities, starting with
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#17327907732111920-408: A massive influx of new students and rapid expansion of Pitt's size and scope. In the 1970s, Pitt's football team returned to greatness with a national championship season in 1976 led by Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett and continued success in the 1980s with players such as Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino . In the 1980s, significant medical research in the field of organ transplantation
2080-789: A pedagogy certification badge and a semester-long public education mentorship program. Distinguished undergraduate programs are offered through the David C. Frederick Honors College. The freshman level entry schools include the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences , the College of Business Administration, the Swanson School of Engineering, and the School of Nursing . The 2022 annual ranking of U.S. News & World Report categorizes University of Pittsburgh as "more selective". For
2240-455: A preliminary report would be available in approximately 10 days, but the final report would require "a long, technical investigation" reviewing bridge inspection reports and maintenance records, video (from local businesses and the PRT bus), traffic counts, weight requirements, and road treatments. The preliminary report was released on February 7. The collapse apparently initiated at the west end of
2400-705: A preparatory school, presumably in a log cabin , possibly as early as 1770 in Western Pennsylvania, then a frontier. Brackenridge obtained a charter for the school from the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on February 28, 1787, just ten weeks before the opening of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. A brick building was erected in 1790 on the south side of Third Street and Cherry Alley for
2560-439: A private institution, both administratively and academically, setting its own standards for admissions, awarding of degrees, faculty qualifications, teaching, and staff hiring. The university's board of trustees maintains ultimate legal authority, governance, and responsibility for the university but specifically reserves authority over selecting the university's chancellor; approval of major policies, particularly those related to
2720-539: A quarter of neighborhood names make reference to "hills," "heights," or similar features. The steps of Pittsburgh consist of 800 sets of outdoor public stairways with 44,645 treads and 24,090 vertical feet. They include hundreds of streets composed entirely of stairs, and many other steep streets with stairs for sidewalks. Many provide vistas of the Pittsburgh area while attracting hikers and fitness walkers. Bike and walking trails have been built to border many of
2880-438: A software engineer who frequently walked beneath the bridge, tweeted a photo he took at the base of the bridge. He expressed concern to the city that one of the original X-shaped cross braces on a bridge pier had corroded and severed where the pier met the ravine. He had privately observed the bridge supports were "well rusted, which he presumed was because of a drainage problem where melting ice and snow with salt from maintenance
3040-528: A state of disaster on January 28. Shortly after the collapse, the National Transportation Safety Board announced it was sending a team led by Chair Jennifer Homendy to investigate the cause. According to Homendy, the investigation will take 12 to 18 months to complete; the team began gathering evidence after their arrival on January 28. In a January 29 press conference held after the first complete day on-site, Homendy stated
3200-559: A university-wide Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) that includes a structured series of extracurricular programs and experiences designed to complement students' academic studies and help develop personal attributes and professional skills. Students who complete the OCC requirements receive an OCC "transcript" and a green cord of distinction to wear at commencement. Pitt offers free workshops and certification programs such as
3360-543: A variety of programs including the Panther Programs, which are course taught abroad that have been developed and are accompanied by faculty of the university; two-way exchange agreements with foreign institutions; and Pitt-recognized, third-party exchange programs. The university also offers several study abroad scholarships, including those through the Nationality Rooms program. In addition, following
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#17327907732113520-540: Is "cut off" flat at the top to suggest that its lines, like education, have no ending. The building was financed by donors and by a campaign to collect dimes from local school children. Bowman was a persuasive leader and although the Great Depression intervened, the Cathedral of Learning, on which construction was begun in 1926, began hosting classes in 1931 and was formally dedicated in 1937. Today, it remains
3680-578: Is 39.61 inches (1,006 mm) and precipitation is greatest in May while least in October; annual precipitation has historically ranged from 22.65 in (575 mm) in 1930 to 57.83 in (1,469 mm) in 2018. On average, December and January have the greatest number of precipitation days. Snowfall averages 44.1 inches (112 cm) per season, but has historically ranged from 8.8 in (22 cm) in 1918–19 to 80 in (200 cm) in 1950–51. There
3840-604: Is a city in and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania , United States. It is the second-most populous city in Pennsylvania , after Philadelphia , and the 68th-most populous city in the U.S., with a population of 302,971 as of the 2020 census . The city is located in southwestern Pennsylvania at the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River , which combine to form
4000-550: Is a leading producer of Peace Corps volunteers. According to the Peace Corps' 2008 ranking of colleges and universities, only 14 schools in the nation produced more Peace Corps volunteers. Pitt's graduate school also ranked tenth for most alumni Peace Corps volunteers. The University of Pittsburgh has undertaken programs to improve sustainability initiatives and practices. Pitt started programs in ecology and established biological field stations in 1926. In 1990, Pitt
4160-404: Is additionally where Jehovah's Witnesses traces its earliest origins, and was the host of the 2009 G20 Pittsburgh summit . Pittsburgh was named in 1758, by General John Forbes , in honor of British statesman William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham . As Forbes was a Scotsman , he probably pronounced the name / ˈ p ɪ t s b ər ə / PITS -bər-ə (similar to Edinburgh ). Pittsburgh
4320-486: Is an average of 59 clear days and 103 partly cloudy days per year, while 203 days are cloudy. In terms of annual percent-average possible sunshine received, Pittsburgh (45%) is similar to Seattle (49%). The American Lung Association's (ALA) 2023 "State of the Air" report (which included data from 2019 to 2021) showed air quality in Pittsburgh improving. The city received a passing grade for ozone pollution, going from an F to
4480-402: Is home to large medical providers, including the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , Allegheny Health Network , and 68 colleges and universities , including research and development leaders Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh . The area has served as the federal agency headquarters for cyber defense , software engineering , robotics , energy research , and
4640-413: Is home to the University of Pittsburgh , Carnegie Mellon University , Carlow University , Chatham University , The Carnegie Institute's Museums of Art and Natural History , Phipps Conservatory , and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall . It is also home to many parks and public spaces including Mellon Park , Westinghouse Park , Schenley Park , Frick Park , The Frick Pittsburgh , Bakery Square , and
4800-635: Is known as "the Steel City" for its dominant role in the history of the U.S. steel industry . It developed as a vital link of the Atlantic coast and Midwest , as the mineral-rich Allegheny Mountains led to the region being contested by the French and British Empires, Virginians , Whiskey Rebels , and Civil War raiders . For part of the 20th century, Pittsburgh was behind only New York City and Chicago in corporate headquarters employment; it had
4960-574: Is now known as Washington's Landing, formerly Herr's Island , in what is now the Lawrenceville neighborhood. The first known European to enter the region was the French explorer Robert de La Salle from Quebec during his 1669 expedition down the Ohio River . European pioneers, primarily Dutch, followed in the early 18th century. Michael Bezallion was the first to describe the forks of
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5120-448: Is now the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh and began relocating departments there by 1909. The initial campus plan for the new location centered on the winning submission from a national architectural contest that incorporated a Greek Acropolis design by Henry Hornbostel for 30 buildings. However, due to financial and other constraints, only four of the buildings were constructed in this style, of which only Thaw Hall remains today. In
5280-679: Is primarily composed of residential neighborhoods and is noteworthy for its well-constructed and architecturally interesting homes. Many buildings date from the 19th century and are constructed of brick or stone and adorned with decorative woodwork, ceramic tile, slate roofs and stained glass. The North Side is also home to attractions such as Acrisure Stadium , PNC Park , Kamin Science Center , National Aviary , Andy Warhol Museum , Mattress Factory art museum, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh , Randyland , Penn Brewery , Allegheny Observatory , and Allegheny General Hospital . The South Side
5440-573: Is referred to as "the Point." The city extends east to include the Oakland and Shadyside sections, which are home to the University of Pittsburgh , Carnegie Mellon University , Chatham University , Carnegie Museum and Library , and many other educational, medical, and cultural institutions. The southern, western, and northern areas of the city are primarily residential. Many Pittsburgh neighborhoods are steeply sloped with two-lane roads. More than
5600-513: Is served by the Port Authority 's light rail system and multiple bridges leading north and south. It is also home to Point Park University and Duquesne University which borders Uptown . The North Side is home to various neighborhoods in transition. The area was once known as Allegheny City and operated as its own independent city until 1907, when it was merged with Pittsburgh despite great protest from its citizens. The North Side
5760-731: Is situated adjacent to the flagship medical facilities of its closely affiliated University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) and its flagship hospital, UPMC Presbyterian , as well as the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh , Schenley Park , and Carnegie Mellon University . The university also operates four undergraduate branch campuses in Western Pennsylvania , located in Bradford , Greensburg , Johnstown , and Titusville . In athletics, Pitt competes in Division I of
5920-531: Is the second-largest non-government employer in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. Pitt traces its roots to the Pittsburgh Academy founded by Hugh Henry Brackenridge in 1787. While the city was still on the edge of the American frontier at the time, Pittsburgh's rapid growth meant that a proper university was soon needed, and Pitt's charter was altered in 1819 to confer university status on it as
6080-623: Is water. The 80th meridian west passes directly through the city's downtown. The city is on the Allegheny Plateau , within the ecoregion of the Western Allegheny Plateau . The Downtown area (also known as the Golden Triangle) sits where the Allegheny River flows from the northeast and the Monongahela River from the southeast to form the Ohio River . The convergence is at Point State Park and
6240-704: Is within walking distance of many recreational, cultural, and educational institutions in the Oakland neighborhood. The campus is adjacent to Schenley Plaza , the main branch of the Carnegie Public Library , the Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art and the Carnegie Music Hall, as well as portions of Carnegie Mellon University . Carlow University is just west of campus, adjacent to the university's medical center complexes. The main quad of Carnegie Mellon University , Central Catholic High School , and historic Schenley Park , site of
6400-582: The Allegheny Mountains . The Great Fire of Pittsburgh destroyed over a thousand buildings in 1845. The city rebuilt with the aid of Irish immigrants who came to escape the Great Famine . By 1857, Pittsburgh's 1,000 factories were consuming 22 million coal bushels yearly. Coal mining and iron manufacturing attracted waves of European immigrants to the area, with the most coming from Germany . Because Pennsylvania had been established as
6560-485: The Allegheny Observatory that was donated to WUP in 1865. Langley was professor of astronomy and physics and remained at WUP until 1891, when he was succeeded by another prominent astronomer, James Keeler . Growing quickly during this period, WUP outgrew its downtown facilities and the university moved its campus to Allegheny City (present-day North Side ). The university eventually found itself on
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6720-551: The Allegheny Observatory , Posvar Hall , Salk Hall , Stephen Foster Memorial , and the William Pitt Union . In addition, a Pennsylvania Historical Marker has been placed on campus near the Cathedral of Learning to mark the significance of the University of Pittsburgh itself. Another state historical marker has been placed to highlight the significance of Pitt's involvement in the archaeological excavation at
6880-786: The Edgar Thomson Steel Works in North Braddock, Pennsylvania , which evolved into the Carnegie Steel Company . He adopted the Bessemer process to increase production. Manufacturing was key to growth of Pittsburgh and the surrounding region. Railroad lines were built into the city along both rivers, increasing transportation access to important markets. In 1901, J. P. Morgan and attorney Elbert H. Gary merged Carnegie Steel Company and several other companies into U.S. Steel . By 1910, Pittsburgh
7040-559: The Environmental Protection Agency 's Green Powered Universities list since 2018, won multiple Sustainable Pittsburgh Challenges, and has other third-party recognitions . In 2018, the university announced its intention to buy all of the electricity from a run-of-the-river hydro power facility to be built by Rye Development at Allegheny Lock and Dam No. 2 on the Allegheny River in 2023. In 2020,
7200-532: The Great Fire of 1845 that wiped out 20 square blocks of Pittsburgh. Classes were temporarily held in Trinity Church until a new building was constructed on Duquesne Way (on what was the site of the former Horne's department store). Only four years later, in 1849, this building also was destroyed by fire. Due to the catastrophic nature of these fires, operations were suspended for a few years to allow
7360-744: The Iroquois Confederacy , based in New York, had maintained control of much of the Ohio Valley as hunting grounds by right of conquest after defeating other tribes. By the terms of the 1768 Treaty of Fort Stanwix , the Penns were allowed to purchase the modern region from the Iroquois . A 1769 survey referenced the future city as the "Manor of Pittsburgh". Both the Colony of Virginia and
7520-487: The Köppen climate classification , Pittsburgh falls within either a hot-summer humid continental climate ( Dfa ) if the 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm is used or a humid subtropical climate ( Cfa ) if the −3 °C (27 °F) isotherm is used. Summers are hot and winters are moderately cold with wide variations in temperature. Despite this, it has one of the most pleasant summer climates between medium and large cities in
7680-771: The Meadowcroft Rockshelter in Avella, Pennsylvania . In addition, the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation has designated the following Pitt buildings as Pittsburgh Historic Landmarks: Allegheny Observatory , Allen Hall , Alumni Hall , Bellefield Hall , Chancellor's Residence , Cathedral of Learning , the Cathedral of Learning interior rooms , Gardner Steel Conference Center , Heinz Memorial Chapel , Thaw Hall , Salk Hall , Schenley Quadrangle residence halls , Stephen Foster Memorial ,
7840-626: The NCAA as the Pittsburgh Panthers , primarily as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference . Founded by Hugh Henry Brackenridge as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh is one of the few universities and colleges established in the 18th century in the United States. It is the oldest continuously chartered institution of learning in the U.S. west of the Allegheny Mountains . The school began as
8000-488: The National Bridge Inventory as being in poor condition since September 2011. The posted weight limit of the bridge was 26 short tons (24 t) and it carried more than 14,000 vehicles per day, with a posted speed limit of 35 mph (56 km/h). The bridge was inspected most recently on September 19, 2021, and the last inspection report was released in May 2022. In December 2018, Greg Kochanski,
8160-556: The Ohio River . It anchors the Pittsburgh metropolitan area , which had a population of 2.457 million residents and is the largest metro area in both the Ohio Valley and Appalachia , the second-largest in Pennsylvania , and the 26th-largest in the U.S. Pittsburgh is the principal city of the greater Pittsburgh–Weirton–Steubenville combined statistical area which includes parts of Ohio and West Virginia . Pittsburgh
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#17327907732118320-716: The Petersen Sports Complex , includes new soccer, baseball, softball facilities, and helps clear a space for the future construction of a new track and field and band complex. Athletic facilities in Pittsburgh that are located outside of the Oakland neighborhood include Acrisure Stadium and the UPMC Sports Performance Complex . Major on-campus residence halls include the Litchfield Towers , Schenley Quadrangle , Forbes Hall , Bouquet Gardens and Ruskin Hall located on
8480-417: The Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens , lie across Junction Hollow on the east end. Four Pitt buildings are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places : Allegheny Observatory (in Pittsburgh's Riverview Park on the Northside ), the Cathedral of Learning , the Pittsburgh Athletic Association building, and the Ford Motor building . Twenty-one of Pitt's buildings (including
8640-405: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was started, and in 1787, the Pittsburgh Academy was chartered. Unrest during the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 resulted in federal troops being sent to the area. By 1797, glass manufacture began, while the population grew to around 1,400. Settlers arrived after crossing the Appalachian Mountains or through the Great Lakes . Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh) at the source of
8800-405: The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. The neighborhoods of Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are large, wealthy neighborhoods with some apartments and condos, and pedestrian-oriented shopping/business districts. Squirrel Hill is also known as the hub of Jewish life in Pittsburgh, home to approximately 20 synagogues. Oakland , heavily populated by undergraduate and graduate students, is home to most of
8960-415: The Province of Pennsylvania claimed the region under their colonial charters until 1780, when they agreed under a federal initiative to extend the Mason–Dixon line westward, placing Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. On March 8, 1771, Bedford County, Pennsylvania was created to govern the frontier. On April 16, 1771, the city's first civilian local government was created as Pitt Township . William Teagarden
9120-413: The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences ), Iroquois Building, Kaufman Medical Building, Medical Arts Building, 230 McKee Place, and UPMC University Center. UPMC academic hospitals and facilities elsewhere in Pittsburgh include the UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh campus in the Lawrenceville neighborhood, the UPMC Sports Performance Complex on the South Side , and the UPMC Shadyside and
9280-425: The U.S. Department of Education . Pitt's National Resource Centers include Asian, European, Latin American, Russian and East European, and Global studies, as well as Pitt's International Business Center. In addition, Pitt's Asian Studies Center has been awarded status as a Confucius Institute by the Chinese Ministry of Education. Further, Pitt is home to one of just ten European Union Centers of Excellence in
9440-480: The University Child Development Center , and the William Pitt Union . Other Pitt buildings not designated individually as landmarks, but listed among the 16 Pitt-owned contributing properties to the Schenley Farms Historic District, include Clapp Hall , O'Hara Student Center , Ruskin Hall , Thackeray Hall , Frick Fine Arts Building , Music Building , and the University Club . Historic structures within, adjacent to, or near Pitt's campus, but not belonging to
9600-551: The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute in the Hillman Cancer Center (both located in the Shadyside neighborhood adjacent to Oakland). Regional campuses offer master's, bachelor's, and associate degrees at four locations in Western Pennsylvania . They also allow students to take preliminary courses and relocate to other regional campuses or the Oakland campus to complete their degrees. They offer several degrees and certificates: The University of Pittsburgh has been noted for both its role in community outreach and its impact on
9760-415: The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine ). By 1893, the university had graduated its first African-American, William Hunter Dammond . In 1895 WUP established its School of Law, and Andrew Carnegie and George Westinghouse were elected to the board of trustees, where they joined Andrew Mellon , who had been elected in 1894. The Pittsburgh College of Pharmacy and Pittsburgh Dental School also joined
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#17327907732119920-401: The Western University of Pennsylvania . After surviving two devastating fires and several relocations, the university moved to its current location in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, and by act of the state legislature was renamed the University of Pittsburgh in 1908. Pitt was a private institution until 1966, when it became part of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education . The campus
10080-445: The nuclear navy . In the private sector, Pittsburgh-based PNC is the nation's fifth-largest bank, and the city is home to ten Fortune 500 companies and seven of the largest 300 U.S. law firms. Other corporations that have regional headquarters and offices have helped Pittsburgh become the sixth-best area for U.S. job growth. Pittsburgh is sometimes called the "City of Bridges" for its 446 bridges . Its rich industrial history left
10240-450: The state legislature's desire for it to provide more vocational training. The decision to remain committed to liberal education nearly killed the university, but it persevered despite its abandonment by the city and state. It was also during this era that the founder of Mellon Bank , Thomas Mellon (Class of 1837), graduated and later taught at WUP. The university's buildings, along with most of its records and files, were destroyed in
10400-415: The 1850 Fugitive Slave Act , as it required cooperation from law enforcement even in free states and increased penalties. From 1850 to 1860, the black population in Allegheny County dropped from 3,431 to 2,725 as people headed to more safety in Canada. The American Civil War boosted the city's economy with increased iron and armament demand by the Union. Andrew Carnegie began steel production in 1875 at
10560-469: The 1920s, new university chancellor John Gabbert Bowman declared that he had a vision for a centerpiece "tall building" for the university. The 14 acres (5.7 ha) Frick Acres property in Oakland was soon purchased and plans for the campus shifted focus from the hillside to a neo- Gothic Revival plan that today comprises the Cathedral of Learning , Heinz Memorial Chapel , Stephen Foster Memorial , and Clapp Hall buildings. By 1925, Bowman had settled on
10720-570: The 2020–2021 academic year, 10 freshman students were National Merit Scholars . (16% ) (49% ) The university's historic emphasis on international studies is physically present in its collection of 31 Nationality Rooms on the first and third floors of the Cathedral of Learning . Pitt is also one of the country's leading producers of both Fulbright scholars and Peace Corps volunteers, and one of fewer than 20 American universities to claim five or more area studies programs that have been competitively designated as National Resource Centers by
10880-427: The 2021 inspection report noted "the cables were retightened in 2014 and are in good shape and are tight". A professor at the University of Pittsburgh faulted the use of the cables to replace the cross-braces, saying that officials "overestimated the contribution of the steel cable that was installed." On January 28, 2022, at 6:39 a.m. EST , the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed. Nearby residents reported hearing
11040-401: The 5 residence halls that make up Schenley Quadrangle , see below) are contributing properties to the Schenley Farms-Oakland Civic Center Historic District that has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district . Due to the historical nature of various sites around Pitt's buildings, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has placed historical markers outside
11200-431: The Board of Trustees per year. The Board of Trustees selects the university's chancellor, who doubles as the chief academic officer and the chief executive of the university as well as serving as an ex officio voting member of the board of trustees. The chancellor is delegated with general administrative, academic, and management authority over the university. Under the chancellor are the provost and senior vice chancellor,
11360-441: The COVID-19 pandemic and has extended this through Fall 2025. Of the 49% of enrolled freshmen in 2021 who submitted SAT scores; the middle 50 percent Composite scores were 1250-1470. Of the 16% of the incoming freshman class who submitted ACT scores; the middle 50 percent Composite score was between 28 and 33. Pitt is a college-sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program and sponsored 3 Merit Scholarship awards in 2020. In
11520-454: The Central, North Side/North Hills, South Side/South Hills, East End, and West End. Downtown Pittsburgh has 30 skyscrapers, nine of which top 500 feet (150 m). The U.S. Steel Tower is the tallest, at 841 ft (256 m). The Cultural District consists of a 14-block area of downtown along the Allegheny River . This district contains many theaters and arts venues and is home to
11680-534: The Class of 2026 (enrolled fall 2022), Pitt received 53,062 applications and accepted 26,077 (49.1%). Of those accepted, 4,399 enrolled, a yield rate (the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 16.8%. Pitt's freshman retention rate is 93.4%, with 84.3% going on to graduate within six years. The university started test-optional admissions with the Fall 2021 incoming class in response to
11840-518: The Elder , while the settlement was named "Pittsborough". During Pontiac's War , a loose confederation of Native American tribes laid siege to Fort Pitt in 1763; the siege was eventually lifted after Colonel Henry Bouquet defeated a portion of the besieging force at the Battle of Bushy Run . Bouquet strengthened the defenses of Fort Pitt the next year. During this period, the powerful nations of
12000-607: The Lambs were filmed in 1990, and the Stephen Foster sculpture . Many of these buildings and their facilities are integrated into the events and activities of the university. The majority of Pitt-owned facilities are clustered in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh which includes the Schenley Farms Historic District , however a few prominent facilities are scattered elsewhere throughout
12160-568: The Monongahela House in 1850, apparently to freedom. The Merchant's Hotel was also a place where African-American workers would advise slaves the state was free and aid them in getting to nearby stations of the Underground Railroad. Sometimes refugee slaves from the South stayed in Pittsburgh, but other times they continued North, including into Canada. Many slaves left the city and county for Canada after Congress passed
12320-522: The North American front of the Seven Years' War , began with the future Pittsburgh as its center. British General Edward Braddock was dispatched with Major George Washington as his aide to take Fort Duquesne. The British and colonial force were defeated at Braddock's Field . General John Forbes finally took the forks in 1758. He began construction on Fort Pitt , named after William Pitt
12480-669: The North Side, and the Golden Triangle are characterized by more density of housing, walking neighborhoods, and a more diverse, urban feel. Pittsburgh falls within the borders of the Northeastern United States as defined by multiple US Government agencies. Pittsburgh is the principal city of the Pittsburgh Combined Statistical Area , a combined statistical area defined by the U.S. Census Bureau . Pittsburgh falls within
12640-453: The Office of Sustainability, and hired its first director of sustainability. In 2020, Pitt committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2037 (its 250th anniversary) and its first climate action plan came out in 2022. Pitt received a AASHE STARS Gold rating in 2021, building on its Silver rating from 2018, has long been on The Princeton Review 's "Green Colleges" list, been included on
12800-692: The Ohio River became the main base for settlers moving into the Northwest Territory . The federal government recognizes Pittsburgh as the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition . Preparations began in Pittsburgh in 1803 when Meriwether Lewis purchased a keelboat that would later be used to ascend the Missouri River . The War of 1812 cut off the supply of British goods, stimulating American industry. By 1815, Pittsburgh
12960-565: The Ohio headwaters was long inhabited by the Shawnee and several other settled groups of Native Americans . Shannopin's Town was an 18th-century Lenape (Delaware) town located roughly from where Penn Avenue is today, below the mouth of Two Mile Run, from 30th Street to 39th Street. According to George Croghan , the town was situated on the south bank of the Allegheny, nearly opposite what
13120-507: The Ohio in a 1717 manuscript, and later that year European fur traders established area posts and settlements. In 1749, French soldiers from Quebec launched an expedition to the forks to unite Canada with French Louisiana via the rivers. During 1753–1754, the British hastily built Fort Prince George before a larger French force drove them off. The French built Fort Duquesne based on LaSalle's 1669 claims. The French and Indian War ,
13280-613: The Pittsburgh Academy. The small two-story brick building, with a gable facing the alley, contained three rooms: one below and two above. Within a short period, more advanced education in the area was needed, so in 1819 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amended the school's 1787 charter to confer university status. The school was named the Western University of Pennsylvania , or WUP, and was intended to be
13440-481: The U.S. The city lies in the USDA plant hardiness zone 6b except along the rivers where the zone is 7a. The area has four distinct seasons: winters are cold and snowy, springs and falls are mild with moderate levels of sunshine, and summers are warm. As measured by percent possible sunshine, summer is by far the sunniest season, though annual sunshine is low among major US cities at well under 50%. The warmest month of
13600-594: The U.S., funded by the European Commission . The University Center for International Studies (UCIS) coordinates international education curricula, centers on topical specializations in international studies, and the centers for area studies, including the National Resource Centers, among existing faculty and departments throughout the university. It does not confer degrees, but awards certificates of attainment to degree candidates in
13760-602: The University of Pennsylvania, and return to its roots by identifying itself with the city, the Western University of Pennsylvania, by act of the state legislature, was renamed the University of Pittsburgh in the summer of 1908. During this time, the university had also outgrown its accommodations on what is now the North Side of Pittsburgh and its departments had been scattered throughout the city for years. To consolidate all of its components on one campus, WUP bought 43 acres (17 ha) of land in December 1907 in what
13920-600: The academic partners of the closely affiliated the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. With over 1450 employees and $ 1 billion annual revenue, UPMC is the largest non-government employer in Pennsylvania. Through the Pitt Volunteer Pool, faculty and staff members donate more than 10,000 hours annually to community service projects for agencies such as the Salvation Army, Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Pitt
14080-399: The air and the rivers. The "Renaissance II" project followed in 1977, focused on cultural and neighborhood development. The industrial base continued to expand through the 1970s, but beginning in the early 1980s both the area's steel and electronics industries imploded during national industrial restructuring. There were massive layoffs from mill and plant closures. In the later 20th century,
14240-495: The architecture of the past speaking to the present." The campus has won multiple Green Star Awards from the Professional Grounds Management Society . The University of Pittsburgh's main campus contains four contiguous sections: upper (sports complexes, residence halls ); mid ( Benedum , Chevron , Allen and Thaw Halls ); lower ( Cathedral of Learning , Union , Posvar Hall ); and on
14400-425: The area shifted its economic base to education, tourism, and services, largely based on healthcare/medicine, finance, and high technology such as robotics. Although Pittsburgh successfully shifted its economy and remained viable, the city's population has never rebounded to its industrial-era highs. While 680,000 people lived in the city proper in 1950, a combination of suburbanization and economic turbulence resulted in
14560-543: The area with renowned cultural institutions, including the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy , Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium , Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens , the National Aviary , and a diverse cultural district . The city's major league professional sports teams include the Pittsburgh Steelers , Pittsburgh Penguins , and Pittsburgh Pirates . Pittsburgh
14720-467: The area. Five vehicles were on the bridge when it collapsed, including a Pittsburgh Regional Transit articulated bus built by New Flyer in 2013. Another passenger vehicle drove off the eastern bridge abutment after the collapse and came to rest on its roof. At least 10 people were injured; three were taken to hospitals by ambulances. None of the injuries appeared to be life threatening. Some first responders rappelled about 150 ft (46 m) into
14880-547: The borders of Appalachia as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission , and has long been characterized as the "northern urban industrial anchor of Appalachia." In its post-industrial state, Pittsburgh has been characterized as the "Paris of Appalachia", recognizing the city's cultural, educational, healthcare, and technological resources, and is the largest city in Appalachia. Under
15040-506: The bridge cannot be ignored." City Controller Michael Lamb and Councilman Corey O'Connor joined the call to reconsider the initial design. Lamb added "Unfortunately, the initial images reflect a bridge that does not match the now-collapsed bridge in terms of space for people on non-motor vehicles, nor does it match the aesthetic of Frick Park or the adjacent neighborhoods." Construction of the replacement bridge began on May 9, 2022, marked by drilling for caissons and concrete pouring. By July 25,
15200-528: The campus, including its centerpiece 42-story Cathedral of Learning , falls within the Oakland Civic Center/Schenley Farms National Historic District . The campus has been noted for its impressive architecture, and contains an eclectic mix of architecture that includes Greek revival, Neogothic, Italian Renaissance, and modern. It has been termed "a theme park of replica buildings, representing
15360-529: The city and other responsible parties for damages. The replacement bridge was designed by HDR, Inc. and constructed by Swank Construction of New Kensington ; the contracts were awarded without bidding due to the emergency declaration and prior history with PennDOT. Federal funds of $ 25.3 million were allocated for design and construction from the Federal Highway Administration's National Highway Performance Program, which in turn
15520-494: The city's population. Pittsburgh also became a main destination of the African-American Great Migration from the rural South during the first half of the 20th century. Limited initially by discrimination, some 95% percent of the men became unskilled steel workers. During World War II , demand for steel increased and area mills operated 24 hours a day to produce 95 million tons of steel for
15680-542: The city's rivers and hollows. The Great Allegheny Passage and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath connect the city directly to downtown Washington, D.C. (some 335 miles [539 km] away) with a continuous bike/running trail. The city consists of the Downtown area, called the Golden Triangle, and four main areas surrounding it. These surrounding areas are subdivided into distinct neighborhoods (Pittsburgh has 90 neighborhoods). Relative to downtown, these areas are known as
15840-859: The city, including the adjacent Shadyside neighborhood. Pitt also maintains regional Pennsylvania campuses in Bradford , Greensburg , Johnstown , and Titusville , as well as a Computer Center in RIDC Park in Blawnox , the Plum Boro Science Center in Plum , the University of Pittsburgh Applied Research Center (U-PARC) in Harmarville , and the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology in Linesville . The university also has
16000-413: The collapse. The bus, PRT fleet number 3309, was operating route 61B outbound from downtown Pittsburgh (eastbound), and had nearly reached the east end before the bridge began to collapse. Driver Daryl Luciani later reported "the bus was bouncing and shaking" during the event. After the collapse, first responders placed a ladder by the bus door, which Luciani and the two passengers aboard used to descend to
16160-536: The collapsed bridge at approximately 1:30 p.m., before his scheduled speech, and told reporters that he intended to direct funding to repair all 43,000 bridges in the U.S. Biden was accompanied by multiple Pennsylvania politicians, including Mayor Ed Gainey , Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald , Governor Tom Wolf , Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman , U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. , U.S. Representatives Conor Lamb and Mike Doyle , State Senator Jay Costa , and State Representative Dan Frankel . Wolf declared
16320-476: The community and various developers to create a master plan for a mixed-use development that included a riverfront park, office space, housing, health-care facilities, and indoor practice fields for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers . Construction of the development began in 1998. The SouthSide Works has been open since 2005, featuring many stores, restaurants, offices, and the world headquarters for American Eagle Outfitters . The East End of Pittsburgh
16480-484: The decision to end a 24-year sponsorship of the Semester at Sea program due to academic, administrative and safety concerns, Pitt has created a Multi-region Academic Program (PittMAP) that involves international travel, accompanied by university faculty, to three different continents for the comparative study of one of six rotating global study themes. Further, Pitt's Swanson School of Engineering has also established
16640-448: The deck was supported by welded steel floor beams and rolled steel stringers. The rigid frame supports were inclined welded steel legs resting on reinforced concrete thrust blocks. The structural steel in the bridge and its inclined supports was not coated, as the weathering steel used was designed to develop a protective patina over time. Prior to its collapse in 2022, the 446.9-foot-long (136.2 m) replacement bridge had been listed by
16800-470: The downtown skyline, and numerous other residential neighborhoods such as Sheraden and Elliott . Many of Pittsburgh's patchwork of neighborhoods still retain ethnic characters reflecting the city's settlement history. These include: Several neighborhoods on the edges of the city are less urban, featuring tree-lined streets, yards and garages, with a more suburban character. Oakland, the South Side,
16960-413: The economy of the city and the Western Pennsylvania region. In 2009, Pitt was ranked second overall, and the top public university in the nation, as a "Best Neighbor" for positive impact on its urban community, including both commercial and residential activities such as revitalization, cultural renewal, economics, and community service and development according to the "Saviors of Our Cities" ranking. Pitt
17120-505: The end of 2035. The university was chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1787 and it operated as a fully private institution until an alteration to its charter in 1966 at which point it became part of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education . This conferred "state-related" status to the university making it a legal instrument of the Commonwealth which provides an annual financial appropriation, currently 7.7% of
17280-499: The fall of 1909, the university became the first college to adopt the panther as its mascot. It was also during this period that the university, led by Chancellor Samuel McCormick , again held off pressures to abandon the school's commitment to liberal education in favor of more technical-based training. During his administration, McCormick also led the university into a new level of national recognition, expansion, and growth, as well as beginning institutional support of athletics. In
17440-409: The fear of polio grew, leading to the closing of many public facilities. Meanwhile, Dr. Jonas Salk had set up the University of Pittsburgh's Virus Research Lab in the basement of what is now Salk Hall . By 1951, Salk and his team had begun immunization experiments in monkeys using dead polio virus. Soon, however, Salk began to test inoculations in paralyzed polio patients and by 1953 human trials among
17600-559: The fiduciary responsibilities of the board; and the definition of the university's mission and goals. It is made up of 36 voting members: chancellor, 17 term trustees elected by the board, 6 alumni trustees elected by the board on nomination from the Alumni Association Board of directors, and 12 Commonwealth trustees. The governor of Pennsylvania , the president pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate , and
17760-413: The first time in 2020, and then also achieved that goal in 2021, 2022, and were on track for better results in 2023. University of Pittsburgh The University of Pittsburgh ( Pitt ) is a state-related research university in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania, United States. The university is composed of seventeen undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges at its urban Pittsburgh campus, home to
17920-502: The floor of the valley before walking up to Forbes. President Joe Biden had been scheduled to visit Pittsburgh on January 28 to speak about infrastructure at Carnegie Mellon University 's Mill 19. After learning about the collapse, White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed via Twitter that Biden would continue with his planned speech to promote the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act . Biden visited
18080-455: The full bridge design including two lanes of vehicular traffic in each direction, a pedestrian-only sidewalk, and restored trail access under the bridge. On June 12, 2023, the bridge was again closed so that crews could finish various elements of the bridge, including more permanent paving and sidewalks. The bridge officially reopened on July 7, 2023. East End (Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh ( / ˈ p ɪ t s b ɜːr ɡ / PITS -burg )
18240-435: The general population were initiated. By the spring of the following year, the largest controlled field trials in medical history were underway, and by 1955 the vaccine developed by Salk and his researchers was declared effective. By 1962, Salk's vaccine had reduced the incidence of polio in the United States by 95 percent. The breakthroughs in immunology and vaccine development at Pitt by Salk and his team are considered one of
18400-469: The growth of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the restructuring of its relationship with the university, and a series of disruptive bomb threats that occurred in 2012. Patrick D. Gallagher was named the 18th chancellor of the university and assumed the office on August 1, 2014. The University of Pittsburgh's main campus comprises approximately 132 urban acres (0.53 km ) located in Pittsburgh's historic Oakland neighborhood. Much of
18560-437: The highest appreciation of the largest 25 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States, with 22 of the largest 25 metropolitan statistical areas experiencing depreciations in housing values. In September 2009, the 2009 G20 Pittsburgh summit was held in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has an area of 58.3 square miles (151 km ), of which 55.6 square miles (144 km ) is land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km ), or 4.75%,
18720-727: The lower campus, Lothrop Hall on the medical campus, and Panther , Nordenberg Hall , and Sutherland halls located on the upper campus. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) is consistently ranked in U.S. News & World Report's "Honor Roll" of America's top hospitals and consists of the following hospitals and facilities in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Oakland , many of which have shared uses with various University departments: UPMC Presbyterian Hospital, UPMC Montefiore Hospital, Magee-Women's Hospital of UPMC, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Thomas Detre Hall, Eye and Ear Institute, Forbes Tower (home to
18880-435: The most U.S. stockholders per capita. Deindustrialization in the late 20th century resulted in massive layoffs among blue-collar workers as steel and other heavy industries declined, coinciding with several Pittsburgh-based corporations moving out of the city. However, the city divested from steel and, since the 1990s, Pittsburgh has focused its energies on the healthcare, education, and technology industries. Pittsburgh
19040-421: The most significant scientific and medical achievements in history. In 1966, Pitt was designated by Pennsylvania as a state-related university. As such, Pitt receives public funds ($ 154.3 million in fiscal year 2016) covering about 7% of its operating budget, and offers reduced tuition to Pennsylvania residents. Pitt retains independent control. Upon affiliation with the state, subsidized tuition led to
19200-400: The next section. On March 8, PennDOT announced that construction of the replacement bridge was planned to start in late April 2022. The replacement bridge is a three-span continuous composite pre-stressed concrete I- beam with integral abutments. It carries four vehicle lanes, each 10 ft (3.0 m) wide, flanked by 2 ft (0.61 m) wide shoulders. The north side of the bridge has
19360-472: The ravine, while others formed a human chain to rescue victims. According to a law enforcement official, a passing jogger helped to rescue some of the motorists. The count of ten injured included some first responders who slipped and fell during the rescue operation. The initial rescue effort was completed by 8:30 a.m. EST while emergency personnel continued to check under the wreckage for any trapped victims; none were found. A crane erected at Forbes and Briarcliff
19520-652: The reconstruction effort began. In November 2023, victims took the city to court over access to bridge maintenance records. The 2023 NTSB report concluded that a lack of periodic maintenance by the city led to clogged drains that caused corrosion, a contributing factor for the collapse; documents also questioned PennDOT's bridge inspection procedures. On February 21, 2024, the NTSB released its final report, faulting both city and state inspection processes for lack of required maintenance, repairs, and eventual bridge closure. Lawyers for injured parties reaffirmed their commitment to sue
19680-504: The record cold daily maximum is −3 °F (−19 °C), which occurred three times, most recently the day of the all-time record low, while, conversely, the record warm daily minimum is 82 °F (28 °C) on July 1, 1901. Due to elevation and location on the windward side of the Appalachian Mountains, 100 °F (38 °C)+ readings are very rare, and were last seen on July 15, 1995. Average annual precipitation
19840-429: The region each year (more than $ 3.60 for each $ 1 of state appropriations), and supports some 23,100 local jobs. Pitt students also spend more than $ 213 million on goods, services, and rental payments within the local economy. Pitt ranked sixth in the number of startups spawned by technologies developed by its researchers according to Association of University Technology Managers. Pitt and its medical school are
20000-472: The second tallest university building in the world and contains an equally impressive interior highlighted by a 22,000-square-foot (2,000 m ) Gothic hall Commons Room with 52-foot (16 m) tall arches currently surrounded by 31 Nationality Rooms . In the early 20th century, epidemics of polio began to hit the United States and other industrialized countries. As hospitals filled with patients in iron lungs , and tens of thousands were left disabled,
20160-863: The senior vice chancellor for health sciences, the deans of the various schools, the presidents of the regional campuses, department chairs, and the directors of university centers and institutes. The university is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools . Throughout its history, Pitt has been committed to a liberal arts education with a curriculum in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Pitt also has emphasized undergraduate research experience and opportunities such as co-ops and internships. Undergraduate degrees can be earned as Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Philosophy. Along with providing certificate programs, graduate level master's, professional, and doctoral degrees are also awarded. Pitt has also initiated
20320-532: The speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives each appoints four of the 12 Commonwealth trustees. Additional non-voting trustees include 14 special trustees and additional emeritus trustees selected by the board. Non-voting ex-officio members include the governor of Pennsylvania, the secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , the chief executive of Allegheny County , and the mayor of Pittsburgh . There are three or more regular meetings of
20480-1059: The structure. Surveillance video recovered from the bus showed the bridge had already fallen off the western abutment when the eastern expansion joint began to separate. No primary fractures were found in the critical areas of the welded steel girders. PennDOT ordered reviews of structural adequacy for five bridges with similar rigid K frame designs immediately; the five bridges (Canon-McMillan Alumni Bridge in North Strabane , Shenango Road Bridge in Beaver , Philip J. Fahy Memorial Bridge in Bethlehem , McCallum Street Bridge in Philadelphia , and Murray Avenue Bridge over Beechwood Blvd in Pittsburgh) were found to be in "fair" condition at their last inspections. The city briefly made an observation site available, but closed it by February 2, as
20640-492: The support piers had been completed and the first prestressed concrete beams had arrived on-site, where they were lifted into place. The replacement bridge was structurally complete by December 2022, and a ribbon-cutting for the new bridge was held on December 20, 2022. The bridge opened to vehicular traffic around 1:30pm on December 21, 2022 with a single lane in each direction along with a physically separate combined pedestrian/bike lane. Work continued into Spring 2023 to complete
20800-540: The third bridge began on May 9, 2022, and the third bridge was dedicated on December 20, 2022. The bridge lies west of the intersection of Forbes Avenue and South Braddock Avenue, connecting the Squirrel Hill neighborhood with the neighborhoods of Point Breeze and Regent Square . In February 1900, the "Councils of the city of Pittsburg" appropriated $ 100,000 for the construction of a street railway and highway bridge across Fern Hollow. A steel deck arch bridge
20960-788: The universities, and the Petersen Events Center . The Strip District to the west along the Allegheny River is an open-air marketplace by day and a clubbing destination by night. Bloomfield is Pittsburgh's Little Italy and is known for its Italian restaurants and grocers. Lawrenceville is a revitalizing rowhouse neighborhood popular with artists and designers. The Hill District was home to photographer Charles Harris as well as various African-American jazz clubs. Other East End neighborhoods include Point Breeze , Regent Square , Highland Park , Homewood , Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar , Larimer , East Hills , East Liberty , Polish Hill , Hazelwood , Garfield, Morningside, and Stanton Heights. The West End includes Mt. Washington , with its famous view of
21120-480: The university announced a second local renewable power purchasing agreement, for solar power to be built on the border of Beaver and Allegheny counties near Pittsburgh International Airport. The university has been criticized for some of its financial investments, namely those in the fossil fuel industry. In 2020, a Board report disclosed that endowment exposure to fossil fuels had decreased 42% between 2015 and 2020, with zero private investments in fossil fuels by
21280-402: The university in 1896. In 1898, the first women, sisters Margaret and Stella Stein, graduated from the university. During this period, university engineering professor Reginald Fessenden was conducting pioneering work in radio broadcasting. By 1904, playing at Exposition Park , the university had its first undefeated football team. Citing a need to avoid confusion, distinguish itself from
21440-482: The university time to regroup and rebuild. By 1854, WUP had erected a new building on the corner of Ross and Diamond (now Forbes Avenue) streets (site of the present day City-County building ) and classes resumed in 1855. It is during this era, in 1867, that Samuel Pierpont Langley , astronomer, inventor, aviation pioneer and future Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution , was chosen as director of
21600-514: The university's central administration and around 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The 132-acre Pittsburgh campus includes various historic buildings that are part of the Schenley Farms Historic District , most notably its 42-story Gothic revival centerpiece, the Cathedral of Learning . Pitt is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". It
21760-599: The university's schools and also operates certificate programs in African Studies (undergraduate) and in Global Studies (undergraduate & graduate). UCIS also operates the Study Abroad Office, Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs. Pitt's study abroad program, under the auspices of UCIS, helps to facilitate student study in over a hundred different countries, and oversees
21920-413: The university's total operating budget, in exchange for the university offering tuition discounts to students who are residents of Pennsylvania. Legally, however, the university remains a private entity, operating under its nonprofit corporate charter, governed by its independent Board of Trustees, and with its assets under its own ownership and control. Therefore, it retains the freedom and individuality of
22080-631: The university, include the Carnegie Museum buildings , Frick School , Forbes Field wall remnant, Magee Estate iron fence, the Schenley Fountain , Mellon Institute , Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens , the Pittsburgh Athletic Association , St. Paul's Cathedral , St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Schenley High School , Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall – where scenes of The Silence of
22240-572: The value of homes in the South Side had increased in value by about 10% annually for the 10 years leading up to 2014. East Carson Street has developed as one of the most vibrant areas of the city, packed with diverse shopping, ethnic eateries, vibrant nightlife, and live music venues. In 1993, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh purchased the South Side Works steel mill property. It collaborated with
22400-400: The war effort. This resulted in the highest levels of air pollution in the city's almost century of industry. The city's reputation as the "arsenal of democracy" was being overshadowed by James Parton 's 1868 observation of Pittsburgh being "hell with the lid off." Following World War II, the city launched a clean air and civic revitalization project known as the "Renaissance," cleaning up
22560-412: The west end of campus, the medical center complex . The campus is bordered by Darragh Street/McKee Place to the west and Bellefield Avenue/Dithridge Street to the east; Forbes and Fifth avenues traverse the campus from west to east. Although generally within walking distance, the university also runs a bus and shuttle service between various campus locations and bordering neighborhoods. The main campus
22720-449: The western sister institution to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia . By 1830, WUP had moved into a new three-story, freestone-fronted building, with Ionic columns and a cupola, near its original buildings fronting the south side of Third Street, between Smithfield Street and Cherry Alley in downtown Pittsburgh. By the 1830s, the university faced severe financial pressure to abandon its traditional liberal education in favor of
22880-604: The year in Pittsburgh is July, with a 24-hour average of 73.2 °F (22.9 °C). Conditions are often humid, and combined with highs reaching 90 °F (32 °C) on an average 9.5 days a year, a considerable heat index arises. The coolest month is January, when the 24-hour average is 28.8 °F (−1.8 °C), and lows of 0 °F (−18 °C) or below can be expected on an average 2.6 nights per year. Officially, record temperatures range from −22 °F (−30 °C), on January 19, 1994 to 103 °F (39 °C), which occurred three times, most recently on July 16, 1988;
23040-490: Was 36 ft (11 m) wide, flanked on both sides by concrete sidewalks each 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) wide. Unusually, the 1901 bridge was not built level, with one end being 15 ft (4.6 m) higher than the other. The four-lane bridge also carried double rail tracks for streetcar service. The 1901 bridge was replaced in 1973. The old bridge was closed in April 1972 and a new three-span steel rigid-frame bridge
23200-540: Was also listed as a "best neighbor" in the previous ranking released in 2006. These rankings reflect the statistics that each year Pitt spends more than $ 1.7 billion in the community and supports nearly 33,800 jobs in Allegheny County . The university is the Pittsburgh region's second largest non-government employer behind its affiliated University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC). Pitt's research program alone imports more than $ 822 million into
23360-512: Was built by Conn Construction Company for US$ 1,230,000 (equivalent to $ 8,960,000 in 2023), using COR-TEN weathering steel . The replacement bridge, designed by the firm of Richardson, Gordon and Associates (founded by George S. Richardson ), opened on June 1, 1973, and was presented with a Prize Bridge award for the medium-span, high-clearance category by the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1974. Arthur W. Hedgren Jr.
23520-426: Was chancellor of the university from 1995 to 2014 and led Pitt through a period of substantial progress, including a $ 2-billion capital-raising campaign that is over three quarters of the way toward achieving its goal and a $ 1-billion 12-year facilities plan. Major initiatives and events that have occurred during his tenure include the construction of the Petersen Events Center , a major expansion of on-campus housing,
23680-590: Was chief design engineer and entered his design in the James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation contest. Hedgren received a cash prize award and a summary of his ideas on this bridge design was published in a collection of winners. The Lincoln Electric Company had created the James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation to share knowledge about welding. The bridge used two welded steel girders, supported at each end on reinforced concrete caps poured atop stone masonry abutments;
23840-506: Was completed by Schultz Bridge & Iron Works (steelwork was subcontracted to American Bridge Company ) and accepted on September 28, 1901. The central arch spanned 195 ft (59 m) with a rise of 50 ft (15 m); overall, the 1901 bridge was 438 ft (134 m) long and the vertical clearance under the bridge was approximately 94 ft (29 m) above the valley floor, although later press reports stated it varied between 60 and 125 ft (18 and 38 m). The roadway
24000-484: Was conducted by Thomas Starzl , establishing Pitt as the world leader in the field of organ transplantation. In 1991, chancellor Wesley Posvar retired after 24 years in office. His administration is best known for elimination of the university's debt from its 1960s financial crisis and for increasing the school's prestige and endowment. Under Posvar, Pitt's operating budget grew sevenfold to $ 630 million and its endowment tripled to $ 257 million. Mark Nordenberg
24160-436: Was draining down onto the beams". Kochanski observed in his tweet that tensioned cables already had been installed to replace the function of the cross-bracing. The city's 3-1-1 system opened a tracking ticket three days later; a few weeks after the ticket was opened, it was closed and the corroded cross brace was removed. Kochanski's tweet went viral following the bridge's collapse. The steel cables had been installed in 2009;
24320-486: Was federally recognized as "Pittsburg", though use of the final h was retained during this period by the city government and other local organizations. After a public campaign, the federal decision to drop the h was reversed. The Pittsburg Press continued spelling the city without an h until 1921. [REDACTED] Kingdom of France 1690s–1763 [REDACTED] Great Britain 1681–1781 [REDACTED] United States 1776–present The area of
24480-498: Was funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. During the first weekend in February, Swank moved demolition equipment to the site in preparation for removing the rubble. Building a new rigid K-frame bridge was unlikely, as the lead time for the steel required was more than 18 months. The replacement bridge was designed and built in sections; once HDR released the design for a section, Swank built it while HDR designed
24640-484: Was incorporated as a borough on April 22, 1794, with the following Act: "Be it enacted by the Pennsylvania State Senate and Pennsylvania House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ... by the authority of the same, that the said town of Pittsburgh shall be ... erected into a borough, which shall be called the borough of Pittsburgh for ever." From 1891 to 1911, the city's name
24800-517: Was once the site of railyards and associated dense, inexpensive housing for mill and railroad workers. Starting in the late 20th century, the city undertook a Main Street program in cooperation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation , encouraging design and landscape improvements on East Carson Street, and supporting new retail. The area has become a local Pittsburgher destination, and
24960-511: Was one of the first 22 signatories of the Talloires Declaration . In 2003, Pitt founded its Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation. In 2013, Pitt released its first sustainability report and in 2014 celebrated a "Year of Sustainability" by launching a Student Office of Sustainability that now has over 25 affiliated student organizations. In 2018, Pitt published its first comprehensive "Pitt Sustainability Plan", established
25120-542: Was producing significant quantities of iron, brass, tin, and glass. On March 18, 1816, the 46-year-old local government became a city. It was served by numerous river steamboats that increased trading traffic on the rivers. In the 1830s, many Welsh people from the Merthyr steelworks immigrated to the city following the aftermath of the Merthyr Rising . By the 1840s, Pittsburgh was one of the largest cities west of
25280-625: Was the nation's eighth-largest city , accounting for between one-third and one-half of national steel output. The Pittsburgh Agreement was subscribed in May 1918 between the Czech and Slovak nationalities, as envisioned by T. G. Masaryk , concerning the future foundation of Czechoslovakia . The city suffered severe flooding in March 1936. The city's population swelled to more than a half million, attracting numerous European immigrants to its industrial jobs. By 1940, non-Hispanic whites were 90.6% of
25440-584: Was the first constable, and William Troop was the first clerk. Following the American Revolution , the village of Pittsburgh continued to grow. One of its earliest industries was boat building for settlers of the Ohio Country . In 1784, Thomas Vickroy completed a town plan which was approved by the Penn family attorney. Pittsburgh became a possession of Pennsylvania in 1785. The following year,
25600-409: Was used to retrieve the wrecked vehicles, and the bus (22 tons) was lifted from the site on January 31. Under the road deck, the bridge carried a 16 inch (41 cm) natural gas pipeline, which severed in the collapse. Local residents were evacuated from their homes in response to reports of a "massive leak" and strong scent of natural gas. Officials shut down the gas lines in the area within a half-hour of
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