As you travel out I-279 North thru the Northside and pass the old KDKA TV tower it looks like it was never finished but at one time it actually was?

Yes the tower looks like it was never finished with its big bright white ball that says KDKA on it as you go out I -279 East Street Valley Expressway also known as Parkway North. but at one time it actually was a completed 500 foot free standing tower.

 That was until a terrific wind storm came by in 1955 and blew the tower over and it was  left with just the bottom base in place after it was cleaned up.
The reason most people do not remember it getting knocked over is because no one got hurt or killed and not much damage other than the tower occurred.
 

https://www.fybush.com/sites/2010/site-100319.html

We have been very lucky when it comes to towers staying in place and not being damaged however at least twice some one deliberately cut the guy wires and destroyed the towers of WAMO in Reserve Township. But all in all Pittsburgh has an excellent record for how they build and maintain towers.