PITTSBURGH — Work to place nets below a crumbling Pittsburgh bridge is now underway.
Channel 11 has been covering concerns over the California Avenue bridge since the start of the year.
RELATED >>> Residents concerned by rusty debris falling from Pittsburgh bridge
We reported last month that crews had placed a fence below a portion of the bridge, which connects Brighton Heights and Marshall Shadeland.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Work begins beneath crumbling bridge following Channel 11 report
Nearby residents, however, continue to have concerns over the rusty pieces of metal that continue to fall below, posing a risk to pedestrians and drivers.
Channel 11 visited the site this week. Crews had hung some sort of wire below the bridge’s sidewalks.
Marcie Kemmler, who owns nearby Don’s Diner, told us that she is under the impression that the nets are only to be placed below the bridge’s sidewalks, as opposed to stretching below the full bridge’s underbelly. She told Channel 11 she is very concerned, as “the debris is falling from every aspect of the bridge, daily.”
An original statement from the city stated that “the City has secured funding for the instillation of some type of shielding, either netting or steel structure, for the underside of the bridge to help protect drivers and pedestrians from falling debris.”
Channel 11 has reached out to the city for several weeks to receive an update on the work, and to clarify where exactly the nets will be placed.
A spokesperson, during a phone call on Wednesday, indicated that the nets will not be placed below the entire bridge. We are awaiting a response with more details.
The work is expected to last five to six weeks.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
This browser does not support the video element.