Colonel Patrick O'Rorke Memorial Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Colonel Patrick O'Rorke Memorial Bridge is a bascule bridge
in New York
, United States, that connects the Rochester
neighborhood of Charlotte
to the town of Irondequoit
. The bridge, located about 6 miles (10 km) north of downtown Rochester, is named for Civil War Colonel Patrick O'Rorke
, who grew up in Rochester. The bridge carries Pattonwood Drive over the CSX Transportation
-owned Charlotte Running Track
and the Genesee River
near its mouth at Lake Ontario
. The movable part of the bridge is 243 feet (74 m) long, while the western approach is 148 feet (45 m) and the eastern approach is 530 feet (162 m).
The O'Rorke Bridge replaced the Stutson Street Bridge, a smaller bascule bridge located about 250 feet (76 m) downstream. The current bridge carries four 11 feet (3 m) wide car lanes, as well as having two bike lanes and wide sidewalks, where the old bridge was only two lanes. The bridge was dedicated on October 2, 2004. It was maintained by Monroe County
until November 26, 2007, when ownership of the structure was transferred to the state of New York as part of a highway maintenance swap between the two levels of government. It is now maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation
as New York State Route 943F, an unsigned reference route.
Bascule bridge
A bascule bridge is a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continuously balances the span, or "leaf," throughout the entire upward swing in providing clearance for boat traffic....
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States, that connects the Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
neighborhood of Charlotte
Charlotte, Rochester, New York
Charlotte is a neighborhood in Rochester, New York located at the mouth of the Genesee River along Lake Ontario. It is the home of the Port of Rochester and Charlotte High School.-Early Settlers:...
to the town of Irondequoit
Irondequoit, New York
Irondequoit is a town in Monroe County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the coterminous town-CDP had a total population of 51,692...
. The bridge, located about 6 miles (10 km) north of downtown Rochester, is named for Civil War Colonel Patrick O'Rorke
Patrick O'Rorke
This article is about an Irish-American colonel. For the Meath footballer from Skryne, see Patrick O'Rourke Patrick Henry "Paddy" O'Rorke or O'Rourke was an Irish-American immigrant who became a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was killed at the Battle of...
, who grew up in Rochester. The bridge carries Pattonwood Drive over the CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
-owned Charlotte Running Track
Charlotte Running Track
The Charlotte Running Track, locally known as the Charlotte Runner or the Charlotte Branch, is a CSX Transportation-controlled branch line located in Rochester, New York...
and the Genesee River
Genesee River
The Genesee River is a North American river flowing northward through the Twin Tiers of Pennsylvania and New York. The river provided the original power for the Rochester area's 19th century mills and still provides hydroelectric power for downtown Rochester....
near its mouth at Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
. The movable part of the bridge is 243 feet (74 m) long, while the western approach is 148 feet (45 m) and the eastern approach is 530 feet (162 m).
The O'Rorke Bridge replaced the Stutson Street Bridge, a smaller bascule bridge located about 250 feet (76 m) downstream. The current bridge carries four 11 feet (3 m) wide car lanes, as well as having two bike lanes and wide sidewalks, where the old bridge was only two lanes. The bridge was dedicated on October 2, 2004. It was maintained by Monroe County
Monroe County, New York
Monroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 744,344. It is named after James Monroe, fifth President of the United States of America. Its county seat is the city of Rochester....
until November 26, 2007, when ownership of the structure was transferred to the state of New York as part of a highway maintenance swap between the two levels of government. It is now maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation
New York State Department of Transportation
The New York State Department of Transportation is responsible for the development and operation of highways, railroads, mass transit systems, ports, waterways and aviation facilities in the U.S...
as New York State Route 943F, an unsigned reference route.