McKEESPORT, Pa. — The City of McKeesport announced Friday that the Versailles Avenue Bridge, one of the busiest in the area, is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic following a reinspection.
McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko said that the closure was a public safety measure.
“We received notification Thursday evening that we should be working to close this bridge within 10 days,” Cherepko said. “It is in the best interest of the safety of our residents that we are proactive in closing this bridge immediately, rather than waiting for any time at all.”
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The bridge was inspected in October 2021, and recommended that traffic be reduced to one lane, which the city complied with. Another inspection was scheduled for April but city officials asked for one sooner.
“With the recent collapse of a bridge in Pittsburgh, our concern was heightened on the issue of our local bridges,” Cherepko explained. “We were in communication with STV and PennDOT regarding this year’s severe freeze-and-thaw cycle and the impact it can have on a damaged bridge. One day, our temperatures are in the teens, and the next, they’re in the 50s. There’s a potential impact there that we aren’t willing to risk.”
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Concrete barriers were put in place at both ends of the bridge Friday morning.
“Bridge closed” and “detour” signs are expected to go up Monday.
The formal detour will follow Coursin Street to Fifth Avenue to Evans Avenue to avoid residential areas.
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