Trucks detoured, traffic restricted as work continues on New Kensington Bridge
Traffic restrictions and a detour for trucks are scheduled to start Tuesday morning as work continues on the New Kensington Bridge.
A long-term traffic shift will start at about 7 a.m. Tuesday, PennDOT announced Monday. The shift is needed to allow for painting, fence replacement and sidewalk repairs.
Two 10-foot-wide lanes will be maintained on the bridge spanning the Allegheny River between East Deer and New Kensington.
Traffic will be restricted to a single, alternating lane between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through late this year. Traffic also occasionally will be stopped for 10 minutes, or less, as-needed.
Truck traffic will be detoured using the Tarentum Bridge. Signs have been posted.
The $24.6 million preservation project started in March 2023 and is expected to be finished late this year. It includes a latex overlay, structural steel and concrete substructure repairs, full painting, expansion dam replacement, installation of new lights and minor approach road work.
The bridge will not be closed this year, PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said. However, the northbound lane taking Freeport Road under the bridge in East Deer toward Tarentum will be closed for four-to-six weeks while the bridge is being painted, he said.
Information about road conditions is available online at 511pa.com.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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