Long-term lane restrictions end on Elizabeth Bridge
By Christine Haines
chaines@yourmvi.com
For the first time since March 2019, long-term lane restrictions were removed Wednesday from the Elizabeth Bridge.
There will still be periodic short-term restrictions as a contractor finishes up the $31.3 million rehabilitation of the bridge, which is expected to be done in late October.
According to PennDOT District 11 spokesman Steve Cowan, work on the bridge will continue under short-term single-lane restrictions weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through late October. Remaining work includes concrete sidewalk pours, pavement marking installation and minor punch-list items.
Elizabeth Borough police Chief William Sombo is glad to see the restrictions lifted.
“All four lanes are open. Hopefully it stops the rear-end collisions,” Sombo said.
While there haven’t been serious accidents, Sombo said the restrictions on the bridge and approach ramps have led to a number of minor fender-benders. Sombo said he’s a bit more concerned about another PennDOT bridge project coming up Sept. 17, when a small bridge on McKeesport Road near the BP station is slated to be replaced.
“It’s going to bisect my town,” Sombo said. “I have an ATV coming to be able to run the railroad tracks to get to the other side if we have to.”
Sombo said that small bridge replacement is scheduled to be completed within two weeks.
The Elizabeth Bridge rehabilitation is being carried out by Swank Construction Company LLC as the prime contractor. Work has included replacement of the steel suspension cables, concrete deck and barrier replacement, steel repairs, expansion dam replacement, bearing repairs, concrete substructure repairs, full painting, and drainage upgrades. The bridge carries Route 51 over the Monongahela River.
To help keep motorists informed as work progresses, PennDOT has created an email distribution list for traffic advisories and construction updates for the Route 51 Elizabeth Bridge and other bridge work in Elizabeth Township. Enroll by sending email addresses to stcowan@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – Elizabeth Bridge” in the subject line.
