City Council approves program to assess Pittsburgh’s 150 bridges

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh City Council voted to approve a new program and trust fund Tuesday night, focusing on safety, maintenance, and funding of Pittsburgh’s 150 bridges.

The Comprehensive Bridge Asset Management Program is a two-year contract worth $1.5 million, zeroing in on those bridges in poor condition in the wake of the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse last January, injuring 10 people.

Previous coverage: Target 11: City of Pittsburgh hires private firm to investigate Fern Hollow Bridge collapse

The Bridge Asset Management Program Trust Fund will help to pay for this, with more than $2 million American Rescue Plan money being put into the fund. Allegheny County Controller and former Councilman Corey O’Connor represented District 5 at the time of the collapse and got the ball rolling soon after.

“Obviously, starting commissions that this new firm is going to work with is going to be very helpful. Getting the right people on the table to talk about what we need to do, and putting safety first,” O’Connor said.

“I think that the city is being very responsive to what is going on. So I have my fingers crossed and hope that they continue to,” said Suzanne Schollaert, who works in the city of Pittsburgh.

Work continues to rebuild the Fern Hollow Bridge, as PennDOT tells Channel 11 that crews are working on pier cap placement and abutment drilling. Officials plan to hold a press conference with the city in the near future to provide a more detailed update but has not set a date.

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Target 11: City of Pittsburgh hires private investigator to look into Fern Hollow Bridge collapse

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