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$30M Elizabeth Bridge Project Begins in July

By Submitted Report
The Tube City Almanac
March 21, 2017
Posted in: Announcements

A $30 million to $32 million rehabilitation of the Elizabeth Bridge is part of an estimated $220 million that state officials will invest in bridge improvement projects in Allegheny County in 2017. The rehabilitation project on the 434 foot structure, built in 1948, is expected to begin in July of this year, district officials for the state Department of Transportation announced yesterday. “We are pleased to begin major improvements to our roadway and bridge infrastructure in the greater Pittsburgh region,” said Dan Cessna, executive in charge of PennDOT District 11, adding that work also will continue on existing projects, such as Pittsburgh’s Liberty Bridge. Formally known as the Regis R. Malady Bridge, the Elizabeth Bridge carries state Route 51 and connects Elizabeth and West Elizabeth boroughs. An estimated 26,000 vehicles use the bridge every day.

Work will include concrete deck and barrier replacement, steel repairs, expansion dam replacement, bearing repairs, concrete substructure repairs, full painting and drainage improvements, a PennDOT spokesman said. Five other structures near the bridge also will be rehabilitated.

Work is anticipated to last through the spring of 2019. One lane of traffic in each direction on Route 51 over the bridge will be maintained during peak travel hours, PennDOT, though ramp closures may occur during the project.
In all, 65 bridges in Allegheny County — 18 of them deemed “structurally deficient” —- will be repaired or replaced. Additionally, PennDOT said, 123 miles of road will be paved or resurfaced and more than $26 million will be invested in tunnel maintenance and improvements. Approximately 49 projects will be bid this year valued at an estimated $295 million. Other significant projects PennDOT has planned in the Mon-Yough area include:
Lovedale Road Bridge Replacement, Elizabeth Twp.: Work to replace the Lovedale Road Bridge over Wylie Run in Elizabeth Twp. and Lincoln Borough is anticipated to begin in late 2017. Traffic will be detoured while the bridge is replaced on this estimated $1 million to $2 million project.
Glenwood Interchange Phase 3:Work resumed in February on the $17.33 million third phase of improvements at the Glenwood interchange, said PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan. Work this year will include the continuation of Route 837 bridge deck replacement requiring a cross over traffic pattern, various ramp closures, and lane restrictions. Additional improvements include bridge deck replacements on Route 885, lighting upgrades, safety improvements, bridge painting, and minor approach work. The project is anticipated to end in December 2017. General contractor on the $16.9 million project is J. F. Shea Construction, Inc. Crews from Shea will conduct deck replacement work and superstructure replacement on various bridges in the interchange. Additionally, lighting upgrades, safety improvements, painting and minor approach work will occur.
In addition, road paving is planned on several state-owned roads, including:
  • Mosside Boulevard (Route 48) from Cambridge Square Drive to Route 22 (William Penn Highway) in Monroeville;
  • Jacks Run Road (Route 48) from Lincoln Way (Route 2031) in White Oak to Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) in North Versailles Twp.; and
  • Electric Avenue (Route 2112) from Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) in North Braddock and Chalfant boroughs to Braddock Avenue (Route 2037) in East Pittsburgh boroughs.
Photo by “Canadian2006” via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under Creative Commons 3.0.

Originally published March 21, 2017.

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