[3] To provide easy transportation across the steep slope for the residents of the new community of Westmont, as well as to function as an escape route for future floods, the company opted to construct the Johnstown Inclined Plane, a funicular.

A bridge had to be built to connect Johnstown to the lower station of the incline, on the opposite side of Stonycreek River as the city.

On March 17, 1936, nearly 4,000 people crowded on the approach, the bridge, and numerous boats to escape to higher ground via the incline as Stonycreek and Conemaugh Rivers overflowed their banks.

The Works Progress Administration appropriated $17,812 in October 1936 to repair the bridge's approach and replace stringers, handrails and the road deck.

[7] The Inclined Plane Bridge was made from wrought iron and steel riveted together to form a Pennsylvania truss.