PennDOT Says Drivers Are Safe, Despite Bridges In Long-Need Of Repairs
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Every day in Pittsburgh 5 million people travel across bridges that need to be replaced or who major repairs.
PennDOT has long acknowledged that deficiency.
"We want to assure people that these bridges are not falling down," said Dan Cessna with PennDOT. "If we identify anything that causes us a concern from a public safety perspective, we will close or restrict that bridge immediately."
To illustrate the need for more infrastructure funding, Steve Croft and his crew focused on the Liberty Bridge.
"It was supposed to last 50 years," he said. "That was 85 years ago."
But PennDOT says the total rehabilitation of the bridge has been funded thanks to the state passing Act 89. Several years of work begin next summer.
"We only intend to take one lane down at a time during business travel," said Cessna.
CBS' 60 Minutes also highlighted the Greenfield/Beechwood Boulevard Bridge, with its diaper and droppings catching bridge underneath.
But like the Liberty Bridge, replacement of this old span has been funded and the work begins next year.
The implosion of the bridge is going to require a total closure of the Parkway East for a week, but when you do that, they've taken a look at the calendar, and right now, they will do it between Christmas and New Year's next year.
Cessna agrees with the 60 Minutes report's bottom line: more federal funds for infrastructure are needed.
But in the meantime, he wants you to know the bridge you see is safe.
"If it wasn't safe, we would close it," said Cessna.
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