PITTSBURGH, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The work schedule for the Fort Pitt
Bridge and Tunnel has been changed to accommodate the needs of motorists and
to aid construction in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation district engineer Ray Hack said today.
    "Work on the outbound lanes of the Fort Pitt Bridge and Tunnel will occur
in 2002, work on the inbound lanes of the bridge and tunnel will switch to
2003," Hack said.
    The decision was based on ongoing community and motorist feedback.
Analysis of traffic impacts on previous work schedules helped in the decision
recommended by HDR Engineering senior vice-president Ralph Gilbert.  HDR
Engineering is the design consultant for the bridge and tunnel project.
    "Coupled with changes in the way we intended to do the work, this change
will help lessen traffic disruptions not only in 2002, but will help reduce
the length of the closures in 2003," Gilbert said.
    "Flip-flopping the construction schedules for 2002 and 2003 will help
drivers become better accustomed to traffic associated with the bridge and
tunnel rehabilitation," Hack noted.  "It allows breathing room for the City of
Pittsburgh's reconstruction of Fort Pitt Boulevard to get back on track.  The
new schedule also accommodates the efforts of the Greater Pittsburgh
Convention and Visitor's Bureau to secure commitments from groups considering
Pittsburgh for conventions during 2002 and beyond."
    No work on the bridge is scheduled for 2001.
    "PennDOT is working to become a model of responsive government; our
customer-focus will help us reach that goal," Hack said.  "This new schedule
was developed with the customer in mind.  Feedback from hundreds of phone
calls and e-mails dictate we proceed on the project in this way.  It's what
people want."
    Jack Roach, general manager of TrizecHahn, which owns and operates Gateway
Center, a major Downtown concern affected by the work, said the outbound-first
schedule worked well during reconstruction of the bridge's ramps this year.
    "Despite the fact that the Fort Pitt Bridge is the main roadway into the
city, carrying about 150,000 vehicles a day, PennDOT is beginning to have this
down to a science," Roach said.
    "Local research into consumer and commuter attitudes has validated our
approaches to reaching the public with our messages about our work," PennDOT
spokesman Dick Skrinjar said.  "Critical to our success is advance warning;
using the detours in 2002 and refining our communications will reduce the
severity of impacts in 2003.
    "We present road construction information to motorists far in advance of
the work, so drivers won't be as frustrated by road projects," Skrinjar added.
"Our public information program is about building bridges of communication so
the news is constantly moving."
    For more details on the Fort Pitt Project, visit PennDOT's web site,
http://www.epenndot.com.  Motorists also may call the project's 24-hour hotline at
1-877-450-4279 for information on the project.

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