Pittsburgh project team outlines $6.5 million Elizabeth Street Bridge rehabilitation; detours, pedestrian access prioritized

Project planners for the City of Pittsburgh presented designs and a tentative schedule for the Elizabeth Street Bridge rehabilitation in Hazelwood on June 14, saying the deck and sidewalks will be replaced while the steel beams remain and targeted repairs will extend the structure's life.

The proposal, presented by Cassie Lloyd, project manager with Michael Baker International, calls for removing and replacing the riding surface, installing a new vehicular railing and resurfacing approach roadways between Lidle Street and Second Avenue. "The deck, everything above the steel beams, the sidewalks, the railings on the bridge itself ... will be replaced, but the beams themselves ... are going to stay in place, with a bunch of steel repairs," Lloyd said.

Why it matters: planners said holes in the deck, exposed rebar, corroded bearings and cracked concrete have created pedestrian safety and maintenance concerns. The design keeps the bridge's existing clearance for rail operations and smooths a pronounced bump in the roadway profile while keeping the overall height nearly identical to today's structure.

Schedule, cost and funding: staff said final design work will continue through late 2026 into 2027, with right‑of‑way work following. The city expects to advertise for contractors in spring 2028, begin construction in summer 2028 and complete the two‑season project in 2029. The preliminary construction estimate is $6.5 million, to be funded primarily with federal dollars, partially with state funds and with a city contribution.

Access and detours: to preserve pedestrian access, the project will build in half widths so one sidewalk remains open while the opposite half is replaced; the Gloucester Street roadway under the bridge and the bridge itself will close to vehicles during deck replacement. Planners described a vehicular detour of about 0.33 miles that routes traffic via Lidle Street to Second Avenue. "We're going to keep one of the sidewalks open during the construction process," Lloyd said.

Right‑of‑way and easements: project staff said no permanent right‑of‑way acquisitions are anticipated; temporary construction easements (TCEs) will be required for two commercial parcels and a railroad parcel to provide construction access. Because the bridge crosses active rail lines, the city will coordinate with the Public Utility Commission and the railroads (CSX and Allegheny Valley Railroad) on clearance and phasing.

Neighborhood concerns and responses: in the public Q&A, residents asked about traffic calming on detour routes, access for homes beneath the tracks and whether adjacent vacant properties could be acquired for green space. Zach Workman, deputy chief engineer, said the bridge project "will not impact any of the surrounding homes" and that broader property redevelopment or demolition would be handled separately by city departments and partner agencies. Project staff agreed to follow up with the local auto repair business to ensure the detour functions as planned and to review signage, local access and two‑way circulation during construction.

Safety and construction methods: a nearby pharmacy owner said a prior notice referenced "explosive testing" and asked whether the bridge would be demolished with explosives. Project staff said investigation work is non‑destructive and that sampling and jackhammering are standard; "explosives are not part of the plan," staff stated.

Cultural resources: planners flagged a mural adjacent to the bridge as a cultural resource and said the mural "is not going anywhere." Staff said only minimal concrete touchups adjacent to beam repairs are likely and that environmental staff have contacted the artist to restore any paint that is disturbed.

Next steps: staff urged residents to follow the EngagePGH project page for updates. Sonia Tilman, executive director of the Hazelwood Initiative, said Yan (a city staff member not present) will be on the agenda for a community meeting next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Community Kitchen (107 Flowers Avenue) for those unable to attend this session.

The project team said they will refine design details in preliminary engineering, complete necessary temporary easements, coordinate with the railroads and public safety agencies, and return with updates through EngagePGH and community meetings; no final contract has yet been awarded.