Fern Hollow Bridge to be finished by end of year, officials say

The new Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh’s East End is expected to open by the end of the year, city and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials said.

“We are anticipating the bridge will be open by the end of the year, and perhaps before Christmas,” PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said.

The former Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park collapsed on Jan. 28, injuring 10 people and sending a bus and several vehicles falling into the ravine beneath the bridge.

President Joe Biden visited the site the day of the bridge collapse and returned to to survey the progress on the new structure in October. His federal infrastructure bill provided the $25.3 million needed to replace the collapsed span.

PennDOT began construction in the spring, using an accelerated timeline made possible because of an emergency declaration that aimed to expedite the rebuild. Once they finish construction, PennDOT will hand control and maintenance of the bridge back to the city.

Related:

• Biden tours Fern Hollow Bridge work, touts infrastructure plans at Pittsburgh stop
• Mayor Gainey launches bridge repair and infrastructure funding program
• Biden visits site of Pittsburgh bridge collapse

It took officials only a week after the bridge collapse to approve an emergency contract to begin design work on the new bridge.

“It’s amazing what we can do in true emergency situations,” Maria Montaño, a spokeswoman for Mayor Ed Gainey, said.

Between 18,000 and 19,000 vehicles crossed the bridge daily before the collapse, she said, highlighting the importance of replacing it quickly.

Montaño said city officials are “very excited” by the speed of construction work.

Cowan said crews will install a bridge barrier and pedestrian railing before reopening the bridge. Other work will continue into the spring, even after the bridge reopens, he said.

During his October visit to the bridge site, Biden said he hoped to come back by Christmas to walk over the new bridge.