PITTSBURGH, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, PENNDOT and Trumbull Corp.
conducted the long-awaited commencement of the Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnel
reconstruction project. Officials, project engineers, workers and guests
lined the Fort Pitt Bridge ramp to I-376 east to cut a portion of the
ceremonial ribbon marking the completion of the ten-year project. The
commencement ceremony is one day ahead of the scheduled opening of the ramp,
Wednesday, October 1 at 6 a.m.
"It's taken ten years to graduate to this level of highway engineering
perfection," said Ray Hack, PENNDOT District 11 Executive. "The final piece
of the puzzle has been linked and traffic will once again move smoothly
throughout western Pennsylvania."
The Fort Pitt Bridge and connecting ramps, originally constructed in 1959
by the Pennsylvania Department of Highways, now boasts a new Aztec gold coat
of paint, smoother roadway surfaces and reinforced steel supports. With
improved lighting and visibility, new wall and ceiling tiles, modern
ventilation and safety monitoring devices, the renovated Fort Pitt Tunnel has
also come a long way since its construction in 1960.
"Motorists can now travel through the tunnel and across the bridge and
view the city without obstruction. The unique design of the Pennsylvania
Barrier provides safety without sacrificing Pittsburgh's trademark entrance,"
Hack continued.
The decade of rehabilitative work began in 1993 with the repair of several
other roadways. The Smithfield Street Bridge was reconstructed, while West
End Bridge improvements were made and lanes were widened on Route 51.
Boulevard of the Allies was reconstructed, the Liberty Bridge and Tunnel
roadway was resurfaced and a new intersection was created at West Liberty
Avenue and Route 51. These roadways were reconstructed and improved in
preparation for their role as alternate routes around the Fort Pitt Bridge and
Tunnel project.
The Fort Pitt Bridge ramp opening on Wednesday, October 1 completes the
roadway construction work. Contractors will continue working overnight and on
weekends to complete the non-highway portions of the project including the
installation of closed-circuit television and surveillance cameras in the Fort
Pitt Tunnel.
For more information regarding the Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnel project
visit epenndot.com or call 1-877-450-4279 to speak to the 24-hour live help
desk.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
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Related links:
http://www.epenndot.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/682850.html
CONTACT:
Dick Skrinjar for the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation, +1-877-450-4279
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