Work starts on McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge
Work on the nearly 100-year-old structure is expected to continue through late 2028.
By the MVI
Lane restrictions began Monday, marking the start of the $51 million McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge project.
Work began this week on a twoyear reconstruction of the McKeesport- Duquesne Bridge that will include steel structural repairs, painting, new concrete, lighting upgrades and improvements to the approach ramps and sidewalks.
According to PennDOT, the scope of work for the bridge preservation project involves painting, concrete repairs to barrier/sidewalk/substructure units, bearing replacements and maintenance, steel repairs and more — including several replacements, sealings, installation of wayfinding signs for the Three Rivers Water Trail and a latex modified concrete deck overlay, as well as other miscellaneous construction.
Built in 1927, the 2,252-foot-long steel truss span connects State Route 837 in Duquesne with State Route 148 (Lysle Boulevard) in McKeesport, crossing the CSX Railroad on the south end, the Monongahela River and the Norfolk Southern Railroad on the north end.
The trail should not be affected by construction, PennDOT said in a presentation last year.
Traffic shifts will occur from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through mid-March to allow crews from Mosites Construction to conduct containment installation. Bi-directional traffic will be maintained on the bridge and the sidewalks will remain open during this work.
Work on the bridge preservation project includes full paint, concrete repairs to barrier/sidewalk/ substructure units, bearing replacements and maintenance, steel member repairs, deck joint replacements, approach slab and approach barrier/pavement replacement, impact attenuator replacement, sign structure replacement, protective fence replacement, replacement of existing luminaires with LED luminaires mounted to existing mast arms and replacement of navigation lights and placards.
Additionally, there will be curb ramp installation, drainage repairs, sidewalk, barrier and gutterline cleaning and sealing, epoxy resin protective coating of concrete substructure units, replacement of DLC conduit and service vault cages under the eastern bridge sidewalk, installation of wayfinding signs for the Three Rivers Water Trail, and a latex modified concrete deck overlay, as well as other miscellaneous construction, which is expected to conclude in late 2028.
Drivers can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
