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Sunday, March 31, 2002

PennDOT originally wanted to close the Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnel over two construction seasons in the early 1990s but reconsidered after getting an earful from everyone from elected officials to business owners.

The new strategy spread the work over 11 years to minimize problems for drivers and commerce. Meantime, PennDOT has improved alternate routes and the Port Authority has opened the West Busway in time for the most disruptive phase: closing the outbound bridge and tunnel this year, and the inbound bridge and tunnel next year.

1993-94
Granite-and-metal facades at both portals of the Fort Pitt Tunnel were replaced while traffic was detoured via the West End on weeknights.

$3.8 million

1995-96
Piers supporting the Fort Pitt Bridge and most ramps were repaired without any disruption to traffic. $2 million

1997
Bridge ramps to and from West Carson Street were closed, one at a time, for reconstruction.

$5.5 million

1998
Bridge was restricted during off-peak hours while temporary repairs were made to the bridge decks so they would hold up until now.

$1.5 million

1999
The inbound half of the I-279 "portal bridge" at Point State Park was rehabilitated, along with the Liberty Avenue on-ramp to the Fort Pitt Bridge, causing the first major traffic disruption. $15.3 million

2000
The outbound half of the "portal bridge" between Fort Pitt and Fort Duquesne bridges was repaired, as were exit ramps to Liberty Avenue and the Boulevard of the Allies.

$13.4 million

2001
Tunnel ventilation, control, safety and electrical work done overnight, some weekends, with only slight inconvenience to traffic.

$12.9 million

2002
Outbound tunnel and lower, outbound level of the bridge will be closed at 12:01 a.m. Saturday for a five-month rehabilitation. Stanwix Street ramp to bridge to be finished one month later.

$84.2 million

2003
Inbound tunnel and upper, inbound level of the bridge will be closed March 29 for five months, including the half-mile-long ramp crossing the Mon Wharf to I-376. (Second part of 2002 contract)

-- Joe Grata