Management

Pittsburgh’s Saw Mill Run Blvd Bridge reopening targeted for end of May

April 6, 2022

The bridge has been closed since early February after a joint on the bridge deck expanded.

Port Authority of Allegheny County expects transit vehicles will be able to run on the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge by the end of May.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County (Port Authority) expects repair work on the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge to be completed and the bridge reopened at the end of May.

The bridge, which hosts rail and bus traffic, has been closed since Feb. 4 when engineers noticed an expanded joint on the deck of the bridge. Port Authority said the likely reason for the unexpected shift was water penetration on a portion of the concrete support structure followed by freezing temperatures.

The original cost of the repairs to the bridge was expected to top $2 million and take up to 12 weeks to complete. The repair work called for contractors to lift the 600,000-pound bridge back into position. Port Authority says crews have installed temporary supports and are readying the bridge for new anchor bolts, rail joints and bearings to be installed the week of April 11.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.