I’ve lived in Pittsburgh all of my life, sans my college years. I’ve been taking pictures in and around the city for as long as I can remember, but really got serious about photography about five years ago. There are very few places around the city that I haven’t seen through my lens, from up high on Mt. Washington, to all the sports venues and bridges, night day, you name it, I’ve probably shot it. There is one image, however, that I have seen probably thousands of times in my life but never photographed and it is perhaps one of the most well known views in the city.
See, where I live, in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, to get to the city you have to deal with the aforementioned Mt. Washington. I say deal with because there are three ways to deal with a mountain (and I use that word loosely, it’s more like a hill). You can go over it, around it or through it. Well, the first two require much more work than going through it, obviously, and the city of Pittsburgh was nice enough to provide those of us who live in the South Hills two ways of going through the hill, the Fort Pitt and Liberty Tunnels. The view that I spoke about earlier is the view when you come through the Fort Pitt tunnel.
It’s incredible because up until the point that you exit the tunnel, you have no idea, outside of the signs that say Pittsburgh on them, that you are even approaching a city. Then BAM! all of a sudden, it hits you. Big yellow bridges, three rivers and of course our signature skyline. A view that tens of thousands of people see every day and most of us just take it for granted. But I can’t tell you how many people who, coming to the city for the first time with that being their first impression of the city say “Wow, that view from the tunnels is just amazing!”.
All that being said, here are a couple of that same view, taken just yesterday afternoon!
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This is the first view you seen, just after you come through the tunnels. In front of you is the Fort Pitt Bridge and to the left, the Fort Duquesne Bridge.
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Just a few hundred feet further and you are in the middle of the Bridge, the skyline in clear view!
Thanks for stopping by everyone, I hope that you all have a great weekend!
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I want to go to the North Shore and check it out! I want to drive the tunnel now so I can experience this!
Love these shots, Dave. The contrast between that bridge and the sky really makes the structure stand out nicely. I’ll have to some day visit the “Burgh”, a placer I have yet to see in person.
A view I never grow tired of! I love the fact our City has an “Entrance”! I’ve brought many people to the Burgh and always bring them through the Fort Pitt tunnel first prior to visiting Mt Washington, West End, etc.
Terrific shots Dave! Love em both man!
I went to Pitt many years ago and did the exact thing after coming thru the tunnel – it’s very impressive. nicely done here my friend!
I love seeing Pittsburgh through your eyes (and lens). I have to come visit one day. Terrific shots.
Yellow and Blue look so good together. That certainly is a great shot. Emerging from a tunnel is one of those ‘surprise!’ moments. Suddenly your senses are overwhelmed by light and the view. A pretty impressive view too, Dave. Nice work.
I have been to pittburgh once and I really loved that place. The scenery is so cool.
Dave,
I moved to Colorado about 5 years ago from Pittsburgh, where I was born & raised. When I see your photos I get so homesick. I concur that the view of the city when you exit the tunnels is beautiful, but the best is when you exit those tunnels at night. The scene is breathtaking with the city all lit up. I’ve picked up many clients from the airport at night, and when we would come through those tunnels everyone would just gasp at how beautiful our city was. Please, if you haven’t already, take a few shots of the city at night exiting the Fort Pitt tunnel. That was one view of the city that I never got tired of seeing.