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31st Street Bridge Now Accessible From Route 28

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - It has been years in the making, but thousands of drivers can once again access the 31st Street Bridge from Route 28 for the first time since March of 2011.

Drivers have had to endure a lot over the years along Route 28. But today, drivers drew one step closer to the end of this construction nightmare.

PennDOT said the new separated interchange will allow for free flow traffic, but drivers of course have to get use to the new merge points.

"Motorists are going to have to be patient and allow individuals to merge onto the roadway," Steve Cowan with PennDOT said.

Prior to the bridge shutting down to Route 28 traffic, there were plenty of complaints about the traffic lights and how long they were.

PennDOT said that will be under observation.

"There's still a 30-day traffic signal test that will occur over the course of the next month until the end of the contract," Cowan said.

Drivers who have been using River Road for the last couple years are more than happy to work through the adjustment period.

However, Rialto Street will remain closed through the winter months.

Meanwhile, PennDOT crews will continue down Route 28 for the next phase of construction.

That will take place near the Heinz Plant and will result in a single northbound lane.

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