Massive Downtown Pittsburgh, North Shore Riverfront Overhaul To Occur

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh's three sister bridges will be illuminated with LED lighting and two riverfront areas will be extensively renovated under an ambitious plan unveiled Wednesday by the nonprofit organization Riverlife.

Dubbed the Sister Bridges Experience, the project's goal is to create a cross-river destination connecting the Cultural District, the Andy Warhol Museum’s Pop District, and North Side attractions via the Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges.

The project's linchpins are the restoration of the Allegheny Riverfront Park, Downtown, and the renovation of the Allegheny Landing on the North Shore.

“The Sister Bridges Experience seeks to transform two beloved but separate spaces into a renowned destination that functions like no other open space in Pittsburgh – connecting Pittsburghers and visitors to a curated cultural experience to be enjoyed by generations to come,” Riverlife president and CEO Matthew Galluzzo said.

Allegheny County is installing the new colored lighting on the three bridges, a project inspired by a temporary art installation that was installed on the Rachel Carson Bridge in 2016.

Allegheny Landing is located on the North Shore between the Clemente and Warhol bridges. The Park was dedicated in 1984 as one of Pittsburgh’s first modern riverfront parks and one of the nation’s first riverfront sculpture parks.

Allegheny Riverfront Park connects the Downtown Cultural District to the Allegheny River across a barrier of roads and bridges. In 2021, Riverlife and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust entered into a partnership to complete a $6.3 million restoration of the park.

Riverlife, the Trust, and the City of Pittsburgh are two architectural and design firms to rehabilitate the park. Construction of the upper promenade is expected to begin later this year.