Jun 23, 2008 7:09 pm US/Eastern
Crews Prep Rankin Bridge For Major Overhaul
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
After more than a year of construction, the Homestead Grays Bridge completely reopened to traffic in the fall; now thousands of drivers are bracing for more restrictions as crews prepare to begin major reconstruction on the nearby Rankin Bridge.
Spanning the Monongahela River, the bridge is a major link for drivers heading towards Kennywood and Sandcastle.
While the work was originally scheduled to start in the fall, officials pushed up the project on what is among the most structurally deficient bridges in the Allegheny County.
Crews have started preparations on the Rankin Bridge; but traffic won't be reduced to a single lane until later this year.
Gas station owner Bob Ackerman says he has no doubt what the two-year project will mean for him. "It's going to affect our business," Ackerman told KDKA. "No matter what, construction is going to be a headache!"
If your travels take you to the Waterfront, to Sandcastle, or Kennywood, KDKA Traffic and Transportation Reporter Jim Lokay says the important thing to note here is that there are no major traffic restrictions down to the parks or over to the complex.
Besides the normal flow of traffic on weekends, the prep work will not affect traffic at this point.
Stay with KDKA for updates on upcoming restrictions.
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