Pittsburgh Emergency Bridge Closure Occurs, Forces Detours

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge, a critical link between Oakland, Squirrel Hill and Greenfield, has been closed to vehicular traffic effective immediately for repairs. The span is expected to be closed for at least four months while renovations costing as much as $2 million are performed.

In closing the bridge, the city is attempting to avert another potentially catastrophic event like last year's collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge linking Squirrel Hill and Regent Square. Ten people were injured in the incident, and a Pittsburgh Rapid Transit bus and five other vehicles were damaged in the incident.

“Inspection results have come back that tell us this bridge needs repair work to be safe for traffic. It’s because of the safety systems that we have put in place over the last year that we can act
immediately, and proactively, to close this bridge—preventing another Fern Hollow," Mayor Ed Gainey said in a statement.

The Anderson bridge, located on the Boulevard of the Allies, is scheduled for a full $48 million rehabilitation after the emergency repairs are made. Although design plans already are under way, the city has not announced when that project will begin.

While the bridge remains closed, the detours are as follows:

• For eastbound/outbound vehicles: Boulevard of the Allies, right onto Bates Street, left onto Second Avenue, left onto Greenfield Avenue, left onto Ronald Street, right onto Alger Street, left onto Greenfield Bridge, to Greenfield Road, to Panther Hollow Road
• For westbound/inbound vehicles: Panther Hollow Road, to Greenfield Road, to Greenfield Bridge, right onto Alger Street, left onto Winterburn Street, right onto Greenfield Avenue, right onto Second Avenue, right onto Bates Street

The bridge will remain open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Also remaining open is the Junction Hollow Trail underneath the span.