Pittsburgh Bridge Collapse: Fern Hollow Observation Area Closed

PITTSBURGH, PA - The observation area that has attracted a steady stream of curious onlookers to the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse site has been closed indefinitely, the city announced Wednesday.

Effective immediately, no pedestrians or vehicles will be permitted beyond the Forbes and South Dallas avenues intersection that leads to the observation area.

The bridge fell into a Frick Park ravine last Friday, injuring 10 people. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, which severed a critical link between Squirrel Hill and Regent Square.

While observers have gazed at the spectacular sight of the fallen span, city and PennDOT officials have secured a contractor to work on remediation and eventual reconstruction, and to support the ongoing NTSB investigation.

The contractor has established a staging area for large equipment along the section of Forbes Avenue leading down to the observation area. Safety concerns prompted the shutdown, city officials said in a release.

In Frick Park, Tranquil Trail is still closed within a 100 yard perimeter of the collapse site.
Undercliff Trail is also closed. Clayton Loop, Biddle Trail, and Homewood Trail remain open.

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