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April 5, 2007

Boulevard of the Allies bridge project begins

The first lane closings associated with the Boulevard of the Allies bridge replacement project have begun, signaling the start of two years of roadwork designed to transform the crumbling and decrepit span into an attractive gateway to Oakland.

“Leave yourself some additional time the first few days until people figure it all out,” advised Pennsylvania Department of Transportation District 11 Executive Daniel Cessna at a March 29 public meeting that drew more than 100 people to Alumni Hall to hear the latest on the plan from PennDOT officials and contractors.

The first lane closings on Forbes Avenue and the boulevard began Monday to allow contractors to install drainage and work on retaining walls.

Forbes Avenue traffic will be restricted to one lane between Moultrie Street and the Parkway East ramp for 16 weeks and the boulevard will be restricted to a single lane northbound from the inbound-outbound split to just beyond the Bath House, between Robinson Street and the Birmingham Bridge, for 20-22 weeks while work is done.

More lane closings are set to begin April 9 as crews shift the bus lane on Fifth Avenue into Oakland into the center lane between the Bath House and the intersection of Maurice Street. Traffic out of Oakland will be restricted to one lane from the intersection of Robinson Street to the Bath House. That restriction is expected to be in place for 20 weeks, said project superintendent Ray Vitori of Joseph B. Fay Co., PennDOT’s contractor for the $29 million project.

“A lot of work is going to occur under a heavy volume of traffic,” Vitori said, noting that safety for workers and drivers are the highest priorities. He asked drivers for patience, noting that while the company is pleased to be working in Oakland, he recognized that local commuters and residents perhaps weren’t quite as excited about their presence.

Additional lane closings are planned for summer, when traffic volume is lighter. Drainage work along Forbes Avenue will continue, restricting Forbes Avenue traffic between the Parkway East ramp and Craft Avenue to two lanes for two weeks, then to one lane for three weeks. “We know it will be an inconvenience,” Vitori said, adding that once the drainage is installed, Forbes Avenue will reopen to three lanes.

Detours won’t come into play until next year, Fay Co. project manager Jason Sinay said, noting that the largest impact will come when the new bridge and south ramp are constructed. That work is scheduled to take place in January 2008 and extend into October or November, he said.

Project officials fielded numerous questions from the audience, most seeking clarification on exactly how their commute would be affected during the work.

Mavis Rainey, executive director of the Oakland Transportation Management Association (OTMA) and organizer of the March 29 meeting, said updated information is available online at www.otma-pgh.org. OTMA will answer specific emailed questions on the project. OTMA plans to compile an FAQ list from the queries, she said. OTMA also is offering project updates via email, fax or mail upon request. To contact OTMA, email info@otma-pgh.org or call 412/687-4505.

—Kimberly K. Barlow


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