Work resumes on walking bridge to Pittsburgh’s Riverview Park

Construction resumed this week on the Davis Avenue pedestrian bridge that will connect Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood with Riverview Park.

The project, which had been scheduled for completion last year, was delayed for several months due to a supply chain issue with the fabricated steel needed for the new bridge, said Jacob Williams, spokesman for the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure. Now, with steel being delivered this week, contractor Gregori Construction Inc. is expected to have the project done by Memorial Day, May 26.

As a result, Woods Run Avenue in the valley under the bridge will be closed for at least two weeks so crews can lift a steel truss and towers into place for the new bridge.  Then workers will install three spans for the structure.

The city’s suggested detour while Woods Run Avenue is closed uses Brighton Road, Marshall Avenue, Perrysville Avenue, and Mairdale Avenue.

The $5.4 million project replaces a bridge for motor vehicles that dated back to the 1890s. It closed in 2001 and was demolished in 2010, leaving walkers and bikers from Brighton Heights with a long, steep detour to get to the park.  

The city and residents decided the replacement bridge would be only for pedestrians and bicyclists because that would be narrower, less expensive and wouldn’t have to go through the same review process as a bridge for motor vehicles.

The city estimates the new bridge will reduce the walking time between Brighton Heights and the park from about 35 minutes to 5 minutes.

“Rebuilding the Davis Avenue Bridge is a critical step in reconnecting our North Side neighborhoods and making it safer and easier for residents to move throughout the city,” Mayor Ed Gainey said in a news release.

“I know construction can be disruptive, but this project is about progress — bringing long-overdue investment back to the Brighton Heights community. I appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to deliver a bridge that will serve Pittsburghers for generations to come.”