PITTSBURGH -- The rock blasting that was scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday morning was postponed until 9:45 a.m. while demolition crews made additional preparations. Both sides of the road officially re-opened at 11:44 a.m.

PennDOT spokesman Jim Struzzi said the operation was a success. Southbound traffic on Route 28 has been closed to a single lane during this construction phase.

PennDOT is investing approximately $8.5 million to remove an estimated 77,000 cubic yards of material from the hillside and construct 1,600 feet of protective rock fall fencing along southbound Route 28. The project will create a new, uniform pre-split rock face along this area historically prone for rock slides. Lane Construction is the prime contractor for the Route 28 improvement project. Kesko Inc. is the subcontractor for the blasting operations.

Rock Fall Area Tentative Schedule: Mid March through late July: Drilling and Pre-splitting End of July through Mid August: Shotcrete installation (concrete type material used to fill voids and prevent erosion) Mid August through late September: Hauling hillside material to waste site Late September through late December: Install drainage, barrier and rock fence and complete final roadway alignment

In an effort to provide the public with information about traffic congestion within the Route 28 improvement project work zone, PennDOT District 11 is also reminding motorists that a temporary traffic camera has been installed near the rock fall area south of the Route 910 interchange in Harmar Township, Allegheny County. The camera is available at www.sr28a44project.com.