Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge fix estimated to top $2 million; take up to 12 weeks
The Port Authority of Allegheny County (Port Authority) estimates it will take in excess of $2 million and between 10 to 12 weeks to repair the Saw Mill Run Boulevard Bridge, which has been closed to transit traffic since Feb. 4 when engineers noticed a joint on the deck of the bridge had expanded.
The Port Authority explained the 1,052-foot span’s shift of several inches was the likely result of water penetrating a portion of the concrete support structure and then freezing.
The repairs will be performed by contractors who will lift the 600,000-pound bridge back into position; and replace bearings, anchor bolts and portions of the concrete deck and slab that were removed to stabilize and gain access to the bridge. The Port Authority explains there is no threat to the road traffic below the bridge and the bridge remains stable.
The closure of the bridge has greatly impacted rail and bus service that use the bridge, particularly on Port Authority's Red Line, which is traveling via the Blue Line. However, Port Authority is taking advantage of the closure to accelerate work on its rehabilitation of Fallowfield Station.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. 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 served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
