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Hearing Next Week on Bridge Replacement
Replacement of Versailles Ave. span estimated at $14.2M
By Staff Reports
The Tube City Almanac
September 24, 2025
Posted in: Announcements
(Almanac file photo)
City, state and federal officials will hold a public hearing Wednesday (Oct. 1) to discuss the upcoming replacement of the Versailles Avenue Bridge.
The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in city council chambers, Public Safety Building, 201 Lysle Blvd.
Officials from the state Department of Transportation and the federal Highway Administration are scheduled to attend.
The bridge closed in February 2022 after an inspection concluded the nearly 300-foot-long span across Ravine Street was no longer safe. According to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, which studies regional transportation needs, the estimated cost of replacing the bridge is $14.2 million.
Unlike most local bridges, the Versailles Avenue viaduct is owned by the city, not the county or state.
City officials have worked with U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, former state Sen. Jim Brewster, state Sen. Nick Pisciottano, the late state Rep. Matt Gergely and state Rep. Dan Goughnour to begin securing funding for the bridge’s replacement.
State officials last year commited $1.8 million toward the bridge’s replacement.
An important connector between Sixth Ward neighborhoods, the bridge was used by more than 4,100 vehicles per day and provides access to Carnegie Library of McKeesport, Twin Rivers Elementary School and multiple churches.
A city spokeswoman said the proposed project includes replacing the existing three-span structure that is currently closed with a single-span steel girder structure; drainage improvements to the roadways; sidewalk replacement; and minor intersection improvements.
The project is anticipated to begin construction in 2027 or 2028.
During construction, a detour will be utilized to direct traffic around the project site.
Originally published September 24, 2025.
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