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South Highland Avenue Bridge Being Replaced

SHADYSIDE (KDKA) – Work is slated to begin today on the South Highland Avenue Bridge that connects East Liberty and Shadyside.

South Highland and Ellsworth Avenues, which run under the bridge, will also closed, which will result in detours for drivers and buses.

The 117-year-old South Highland Avenue Bridge has been deemed structurally deficient and needs to be replaced.

"It was imminent. The day has finally come," Dr. Leon Kohane said.

The $2.9 million bridge replacement project began Monday and by 9 a.m., the signs were in place and the long-awaited and possibly painful process began.

The bridge is a bit of mess and has long been considered structurally deficient and functionally obsolete.

Its rusting girders are going to be replaced and its abutments will be improved, but there are many concerns over local business impact.

"When we confirmed patients last week we told them that there may be a little difficulty getting to the office because of the closure of the bridge," Dr. Kohane said.

If all goes as planned, the city says the bridge will be reopened in September.

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