Key Schenley Park Bridge Closure Extended

PITTSBURGH, PA — Expect the Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge, a critical link between Oakland, Squirrel Hill and Greenfield, to remain closed longer than city officials initially said.

The city closed the Schenley Park span Feb. 1 for emergency repairs that were expected to take four months. But city officials since have decided to proceed with a full $8 million rehabilitation of the span.

Mayor Ed Gainey said the city is partnering with PennDOT to move the project's design and engineering phases along quickly.

"When we made the decision to close Charles Anderson Bridge, we did so with a commitment to keep our city safe, and had hoped at that time to be able to make the repairs needed to reopen the bridge later this year," he said in a statement.

"Because of our ability to dramatically expedite the process we are now able to move forward with our plans for the full rehabilitation project of the bridge which means that the Charles Anderson Bridge will remain closed until the completion of that project."

Gainey offered no timetable as to when the bridge might reopen.

For now, the span remains open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Also remaining open is the Junction Hollow Trail underneath the span.