Swindell Bridge reopens after months of repairs

PITTSBURGH — The City of Pittsburgh announced that the Swindell Bridge is now open to all traffic, following months of repairs.

The bridge has been shut down since the emergency closure on July 1 when materials like rock, sediment and liquid concrete came crashing down onto cars on the Parkway North. Contractors were working on maintenance repairs on the bridge at the time.

Following the closure on July 2, the city said an inspection was performed on July 2, which found that material from the resurfacing deck repairs was accumulating in the expansion joint drainage trough. The additional weight of the debris caused the trough to tear open and spill onto the Parkway North.

The work was then put off as the city worked through some supply chain issues for repairs to the bridge, specifically, the drain trough.

According to a news release from the city, repairs to the bridge were delayed due to supply chain issues, but “initial work, including the maintenance milling and paving operations, are completed.”

City officials say “no additional deterioration or damage was found that would affect the structural capacity of the bridge.”

Some residents who we spoke with said that they are relieved the bridge has reopened. Another resident, however, said it reopened “too quick” and that he doesn’t trust that the bridge is safe.

According to the city, larger repairs are expected later this year, and a full-bridge rehabilitation project is “moving forward in the planning phase.” In the meantime, routine inspections will take place every six months.

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Swindell Bridge construction to begin amid supply chain issues

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