PennDOT announced a 25-day closure of Parkway East while crews work to complete the $95 million Commercial Street Bridge Replacement project.
All Parkway traffic between the Wilkinsburg exit (78B) and the Forbes Avenue/Oakland exit (72A) will be closed July 10 through Aug. 3.
“While the one-month closure will still push traffic into nearby neighborhoods, it’s far less disruptive than four years of constant congestion,” PennDOT said in the announcement packet.
Parkway East currently serves approximately 100,000 vehicles daily, PennDOT said.
PennDOT said that single-lane access will be provided to Squirrel Hill/Edgewood for local traffic only.
The project will improve safety by replacing the aging bridge’s structural integrity, which is part of an ongoing effort to improve the city’s infrastructure, following the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in 2022.
Existing bridge foundations will not be excavated in their entirety. Instead, they will be removed to a depth of several feet below the final grade, PennDOT said.
PennDOT is using an Accelerated Bridge Construction plan that includes a “lateral slide-in method.” The old bridge will be removed, and the new one that is under construction will be slid into place.
Conventional bridge replacement methods would require rebuilding the bridge in halves. During the construction, all parkway traffic would be squeezed onto one side causing constant lane closures and restrictions, PennDOT said.
In an effort to avoid a traditional four-year construction project, PennDOT has opted for a quicker construction period, despite needing to close Parkway East for a month.
“We’re sharing information well in advance, giving motorists time to plan alternate routes and even adjust work schedules if needed,” PennDOT said.
Wilkinsburg Public Library posted about the announcement on social media on Feb. 24.
“Plan Ahead: Closure Coming!,” the Facebook post said.
PennDOT said that the large structural steel bridge members are being made and procured from domestic suppliers, while smaller steel pieces are being produced and provided from local suppliers.
Upon exiting the Squirrel Hill Tunnel heading eastbound, the new retaining wall will be located to the right just before the bridge structure.
PennDOT said there is financial incentive available if the project is completed earlier than expected.
Commercial Street and Nine Mile Run Trail will also be closed in preparation for and during the project until mid-August.
Commercial Street will be closed at Whipple Street in Swisshelm Park. “Road Closed Local Traffic Only” signs will be placed at these locations to allow residents access to their homes.
There were no specific reopening dates provided in the closure announcement.
A PennDOT spokesperson was unable to be reached immediately on Thursday to provide further information.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit routes using Commercial Street will be detoured and updated schedules will be posted on PRT’s website and shared with municipalities, PennDOT said.