Trafford Bridge construction project begins Monday, will affect bus riders

PITTSBURGH — A construction project on the Trafford Bridge expected to detour bus service for about five weeks is scheduled to begin Monday at 7 a.m.

According to the Port Authority of Allegheny County, a detour for bus service around the closed bridge, which connects Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, will be in place Monday, and multiple stops will be affected.

Inbound and outbound bus stops being discontinued as part of the interim detour include: Brinton at Fifth, Fifth at Cavitt, Forest at Duquesne and Forest at Sixth and Seventh, officials said.

The following stops will remain in place: Sixth Avenue opposite Duquesne Way, Sixth opposite Cavitt, Sixth at Brinton. A new stop will be added at Seventh at Forest.

The change in bus stops has been met with mixed emotions from bus riders.

“Oh yes, I went to the council to tell them how much we need the bus stop here,” Virginia Shupbach said.

The $10.7 million construction project is expected to be completed by November 2013, PennDOT officials said.

“My wife goes across the bridge every day, so she’ll have to add a couple miles to her trip now,” Dennis Templeton said.

The official detour for motorists is Forbes Road or Route 4018.

WPXI