Streets closed as workers shore up granite on building
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Two major downtown Pittsburgh streets remained closed while workers shore up granite on a historic building where a 1,400-pound chunk plunged nearly 300 feet to the street below.
City officials hope to reopen the northbound lanes of Grant Street — those farthest away from the Frick Building — by Thursday. But officials on Tuesday say it could take weeks to reopen the southbound lanes nearest the building or Forbes Avenue, a narrower street that runs along the other side of the corner building.
The granite fell about 2:45 a.m. Monday from a decorative cornice. Nobody was hurt.
Crews worked to shore up the decorative stone, which likely weakened due to water seepage and age atop the 21-story office building that opened in 1902.
A protective wall must be built before northbound Grant Street reopens.