Mayor Gainey announces major plans for infrastructure investments
City of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey announced major plans for infrastructure investment today.
He says living and working in a city of bridges—something needs to be done when it comes to the aging roads and bridges.
He rolled out a plan that will allocate funds to improve and sustain that infrastructure, and a team to monitor the problem spots.
He highlighted the need for widespread bridge improvements.
“We will have someone leading a team that will get up everyday and think about the safety, integrity of our bridges,” said Mayor Gainey.
Mayor Gainey revealed they put in a request for proposal for a comprehensive bridge asset management program.
He says they are allocating funds to get work done, developing a list of bridges that need repairs, strategizing a plan, developing recommendations on how to implement those repairs and a bridge asset manager will then report to the city’s chief operating administrative office.
This all comes on the heels of the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse where nearly a dozen people were injured in January.
Just last week, Channel 11 covered a story on the Swindell Bridge after multiple viewers reported major concerns.
It’s riddled with giant potholes, exposed rebar and fencing is rusting away.
Mayor Gainey says he is well aware and had it inspected to avoid another tragedy.
“We’re willing to go out and have a conversation with the community and continue to do whatever’s necessary. Look—I don’t ever wanna wake up again to what I woke up during Fern Hollow Bridge collapse. I don’t wanna do that again.”
Mayor Gainey say they are planning a redesign and thorough rehab of the Swindell Bridge.
They are focused on deck work at the moment.
The Mayor’s office said for now, inspections and analysis indicate that the current restrictions on the bridge are working to keep the weight of vehicles where it should be. Upon notice from an inspector that the bridge is unsafe, the city will close the bridge immediately.
He did not reveal how much money would be put towards it at this point.
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