Since repairs last fall, Pittsburgh's Mon Incline has closed 11 times

PITTSBURGH — Since undergoing major repairs in September, the Monongahela Incline, which transports residents and tourists from Mt. Washington to Station Square and vice versa, has been shut down 11 times.

During the workweek, 2,000 people depend on the Mon Incline to get to and from work.

“It’s nice for the tourist, but it’s the people who live here you have to think about,” Nichole Moretti said.

Built 146 years ago, the Mon Incline was again closed Monday because of switch malfunctions that slow and stop the cars, a port Authority representative said.%

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The issue was fixed by Tuesday, and now the Port Authority is working to get reimbursed from the manufacture. Similar problems have shut down the incline 10 other times since September when the Port Authority spent $3.5 million to restore it.

“I know it’s closed sometime, but when you are old and creaky, sometimes you need maintenance and repair,” Moretti said. “We have to take good care of her.”

Moretti said the Mon Incline will remain one of her first attractions to bring friends to when they visit. She said some say more money needs to be spent to keep the Pittsburgh icon still moving in the future.

“Funding would a great thing. If we could find more funding, we would have more reliability, right? And that would be better for the people who live here,” Moretti said.

Cox Media Group