Traffic patterns to change next week on Liberty Bridge
The next phase of the Liberty Bridge deck replacement work in Pittsburgh will begin Monday, weather permitting.
“Beginning on Monday, motorists exiting Pittsburgh will see a new configuration on the outbound Liberty Bridge,” said District Executive Dan Cessna. “The two southbound lanes will be split by the work zone. We urge motorists to use caution and be prepared for the new traffic pattern.”
Preparatory work will occur from 8 p.m. Friday continuously through about noon Sunday as the inbound bridge and tunnel will close to traffic to allow crews to begin the change. Crews will be eradicating and painting lines, installing barrier, signs and message boards and shifting the overhead lane control system. One outbound lane will be maintained on the bridge. Inbound traffic will be detoured.
When prep work is concluded Sunday, the afternoon configuration of two inbound lanes and one outbound lane will be implemented until Monday afternoon.
Beginning at 5 a.m. Monday, the inside outbound lane on the bridge will close to traffic for 30 days as crews conduct deck replacement work. During the afternoon configuration, the two outbound lanes will be split by the work zone.
The currently closed, inside inbound lane on the bridge will reopen to traffic. The deck will be replaced one lane at a time through four separate work phases over the course of 160 consecutive days.
During each phase of construction, the traffic configuration will be changed three times each weekday. Three lanes of traffic will be maintained during peak travel times and two lanes will be maintained overnight. ·
Two inbound lanes and one outbound lane will be maintained from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. each weekday. Two outbound lanes and one inbound lane will be maintained from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. each weekday.
A single lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. each weeknight. Work may occur Saturdays and Sundays.
The $80.08 million project includes deck replacement and ramp reconstruction, structural steel repairs, painting of the entire structure, concrete repairs, sign improvements and installation of a new alternating overhead lane control system. The project will continue into 2018. Restrictions in 2017 include five weekend and 26 overnight closures of the bridge, an 80-day closure of the Boulevard of the Allies in the bridge area and single-lane restrictions on Second Avenue.
The Joseph B. Fay Company is the prime contractor.