Thereâs still time to bid a fond farewell to the Greenfield Bridge, which closes Friday night in preparation for a total overhaul that will result in a new steel bridge in the long-term, but will mean detours and traffic headaches in the area in the near future.
The 94-year-old bridge, which spans the Parkway East, will be imploded in December as part of a $17.5 million reconstruction project that will last for 18 months.
Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey OâConnor, whose district includes the neighborhoods most affected by the bridge project, says the cityâs biggest concern with the lengthy project is public safety. âWe will have set detours in place, but people will always try to find a different route,â OâConnor says. âYou can never be completely ready for something like this. Thereâs no handout or how-to list.â
The bridge has been in disrepair for several years. Its most recent update was back in 2004, when netting was installed underneath the bridge to catch chunks of concrete before they fell on the Parkway East below.
The reconstruction of the bridge includes new abutments, piers, structural steel and a new bridge deck which will have three travel lanes, a bike lane and a sidewalk. Preparation for the demolition work will be ongoing for the next two months, leading up to the implosion, which is expected to close the Parkway East for the last week of the year, weather permitting. The new bridge, which will be named the Beechwood Bridge, is scheduled to open in May 2017
On Tuesday, the city announced plans for the various detours the project will require. Pedestrians and cyclists will be restricted from the bridge beginning at noon on Sunday, and can either use the Junction Hollow Trail, accessible from the Alexis Street steps or Saline Street on the Greenfield end, and Joncaire steps or Joncaire Street in Oakland. Bus routes including the 52L Homeville Limited, the 53L Homestead Park Limited, the 58 Greenfield, and the 93 Lawrenceville-Oakland- Restrictions to the Parkway East will vary, and will be posted in advance, but the roadway will definitely be closed between Dec. 26th and Jan. 3rd, during the implosion.
The city and the Oakland Transportation Management Association have set up a website to provide updated information to the public, and answer questions.
âThe Greenfield Bridge reconstruction is a massive project that has required a tremendous amount of planning and consideration,â Mayor Bill Peduto said in a statement on Tuesday. âWhile this is a necessary investment, we understand that this closure will have a major impact on the surrounding communities and we are committed to working with the community through this process.â
The Greenfield Community Association is sending the 446-foot tall bridge off in style, with a Bridgefest party planned from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday. The event is intended to let people know that businesses in Greenfield are still open and accessible even though the bridge will eventually be gone.
âWe want to encourage people when theyâre stuck in traffic, and they will be stuck in traffic, to stop in at some of our local businesses,â OâConnor adds.
The party will feature music by NOMaD, Milly and Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, as well as a raffle to determine who pushes the plunger when itâs time for the implosion.
OâConnor says the next year and a half will be an adjustment, but that the project will ultimately be a positive step for the neighborhood and the city.
âWeâll have to roll up our sleeves, and make sure we keep residents and businesses involved,â he says, noting that the Greenfield Bridge was once the subject of a 60 Minutes report about crumbling infrastructure. âBeing able to get through this process is going to be pretty amazing. It actually shows how our city is moving forward.â
