Bridges of many colors suggested to city

The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation wants 16 bridges in the city repainted purple, green, yellow and orange to cover up a 'rather dreadful Aztec gold.'

'We would very easily and inexpensively create a unique and international image and attraction,' said Arthur Ziegler, president of the foundation, which works to preserve Pittsburgh's heritage. 'All we're saying is, as they need to be painted, let's paint them creatively.'

The foundation ( www.phlf.org )wants to muster support for such colors as 'purple ice,' 'perfect peach' and 'candied yam.' Brighter colors would showcase the architecture of the bridges, boost tourism and help Pittsburgh shed its industrial image, Ziegler said.

The foundation wants new colors splashed on the Fort Pitt, Fort Duquesne, West End, Roberto Clemente, Seventh, Ninth, Panhandle, 16th, 31st, 40th, LRT Transit, Liberty, 10th, Birmingham, Hot Metal and Glenwood bridges.

Not everyone is thrilled with the notion of a purple passion Pittsburgh.

'It seems to me that consistency among the bridge colors is important,' said Tom Donatelli, director of Public Works for Allegheny County.

Aztec gold was chosen to mesh with the Golden Triangle, Donatelli said. And gold is Pittsburgh's signature color - the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates use gold on their uniforms.

Ziegler, who aims to spark public debate, said he is counting on Pittsburgh's artist community to support his quest for color.

'We should treat them each as different monuments,' he said of the steel structures built as far back as 1885.

The state Department of Transportation and Allegheny County own the bridges and would have to approve the projects, Ziegler said.

The county repainted the Roberto Clemente, Seventh and Ninth street bridges in 1994 at a cost of $7 million, Donatelli said.

He said the Federal Highway Administration paid for 80 percent of the work. The lifespan of the paint is 10 to 15 years, Donatelli said.

Ziegler said he is not demanding that the bridges be painted earlier than maintenance schedules demand. He just wants officials to consider different colors when the time comes to improve the city's skyline and attract newcomers.

'This is simply an idea that we have put forth in the past. With all the focus on (development) Downtown, all we're saying is here is an attraction that is already in place.'

Andrew Kost, PennDOT assistant district engineer of maintenance, said the Fort Pitt Bridge is scheduled to be repainted in 2003. No other state-owned bridges are scheduled for paintings.

Kost and Donatelli said brighter paint would cost the same as gold.

Homewood resident Gail Davis, 65, said a change might be nice. 'I'm tired of seeing all that gold. Sometimes you don't even know what bridge you're getting on.'

Cathy McCollom, director of operations for the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, said the group wants to showcase the bridges.

'We're a city of bridges,' she said. 'And many of the bridges represent magnificent engineering feats.'

Gordon Ovenshine can be reached at govenshine@tribweb.com or (412) 320-7932.