Latest news with #bridgeclosure
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Forward Township residents remain worried, frustrated about Center Avenue Bridge closure
People living in Forward Township, Allegheny County, say a crucial bridge is out of commission and it's creating a huge hassle. The span has been closed for just a few months, but those who use it say it's already been way too long. The bridge is essential for connecting Forward Township and Elizabeth Borough. Now, people living on the forward Township side of the of the bridge say it might as well be the Golden Gate because without its access, they must drive a significant distance to get to Route 51, and residents are worried if it doesn't get fixed quickly, something terrible might happen due to the lack of access. Barricaded and looking beat up, the Center Avenue Bridge was closed a few months back after PennDOT determined it needed major repairs. Add to that a sewage line under the span needed to be moved as well, and people have not been shy to voice their displeasure with the closure. "It's big for me. It's big for everyone else. It's a small bridge, but you can't stop your life because of a damn small bridge," resident Cecilia Fox said. Fox says the tiny span requires a large detour if you want to head to the other side. "I must travel every day to Blaine Hill to babysit, it usually takes me five minutes at most. Now, you've got around the long country roads and whatever," Fox added. Fox says a bad storm a while back had her finding a detour for the bridge detour. "A couple of days ago, I was coming home, we had lightning and thunder, rain and whatever, and a tree fell on the road." "I go to work at 4 o'clock, 5 o'clock, early in the morning, and drive all those back country roads with deer in the snow, it's been bad," fellow resident Karen Klimkos said. Klimkos says she's in the same boat when it comes to detours. Both women also worry about emergency services access with the bridge down when seconds count. PennDOT says they're working on it. "That's always what we hear. Where? Where are they working on it?" both women opined. KDKA-TV spoke to Forward Township officials, who say they have completed the sewage line work. PennDOT says it will start prep work to repair the bridge next week. If all goes as planned, the small bridge that means big things for residents will be done in about six weeks.
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Derry Township fire chief worried about how road closure will impact response time
Route 217 in Derry Township is a major throughway between Derry Borough and Blairsville, but part of that road that sits over a small creek has been completely closed by PennDOT for a bridge rehabilitation. And while work on the bridge was needed, Derry Township Fire Chief Mark Piantine says that a full closure of the road and the detour to get around it could tack on an extra 15 minutes for emergency crews responding to a call. Chief Piantine says he wasn't consulted by PennDOT about the major road closure in his township. He says he didn't even know it was happening until signs went up warning drivers of the closure back in late May. "We are the last ones to know, but we're the first ones to go if something happens," Chief Piantine said. The closure on Route 217 is centered around a small bridge that is being rehabilitated between Ankney Road and Hillside Road. And though that closure only extends about a half a mile, Chief Piantine says the detours to get around the small stretch take miles on narrow county roads that traverse active train crossings. It's not something you want when trying to respond to an emergency quickly. The good news for Derry Township residents is that volunteer fire companies in Blairsville and Black Lick are aware of the closure and ready to respond to that part of Derry to give Chief Piantine's crews time to arrive. Plus, nearby companies from Unity Township are also in the know on this and are able to back up Derry should the need arise. Still, Piantine says he wishes he would have been consulted initially. PennDOT said in a statement: "During the design of the Project, local stakeholders were informed of the plans and detour information in August of 2024, and at that time no concerns were received." They also said that "Performing this work under detour provides for a higher quality product that can be performed safer and in a shorter timeframe." The work on 217 is slated to be completed, weather pending, by Independence Day weekend. PennDOT shared these detours: Route 217 (Millwood Street, Blairsville Road, Walnut Street) Route 22/119 (Pittsburgh-Blairsville -Buffalo Highway) Route 982 (New Derry Road) Route 1041 (Chestnut Street) Route 217 (Fourth Street, Millwood Street)
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Portions of Jackson Street bridge in St. Paul closed for repairs
A stretch of the Jackson Street bridge between Empire Drive and Acker Street, north of Pennsylvania Avenue in St. Paul was closed on Friday until repairs can be made to the bridge piers, the Ramsey County Public Works department announced. The closure is expected to last about three months. The county decided to close the bridge 'out of an abundance of caution' following a routine inspection and consultation with St. Paul. The two-lane, 1930s-era bridge carries an estimated 3,500 vehicles a day. The bridge has been under load restrictions and the county has plans for reconstruction of the bridge in 2028. The county public works department will consult with bridge experts next week to determine repairs needed until the reconstruction occurs. More information will be coming. Snelling and St. Clair intersection fully reopens after construction Forest Lake detours begin as MnDOT undertakes $17M Highway 97 reconstruction project Snelling Ave. and St. Clair Ave. intersection closing intermittently Interstate 494 closure slated for this weekend in Bloomington-Richfield area '100 deadliest days' on roads kick off Memorial Day weekend
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Portions of Jackson Street bridge in St. Paul closed for repairs
A stretch of the Jackson Street bridge between Empire Drive and Acker Street, north of Pennsylvania Avenue in St. Paul was closed on Friday until repairs can be made to the bridge piers, the Ramsey County Public Works department announced. The closure is expected to last about three months. The county decided to close the bridge 'out of an abundance of caution' following a routine inspection and consultation with St. Paul. The two-lane, 1930s-era bridge carries an estimated 3,500 vehicles a day. The bridge has been under load restrictions and the county has plans for reconstruction of the bridge in 2028. The county public works department will consult with bridge experts next week to determine repairs needed until the reconstruction occurs. More information will be coming. Snelling and St. Clair intersection fully reopens after construction Forest Lake detours begin as MnDOT undertakes $17M Highway 97 reconstruction project Snelling Ave. and St. Clair Ave. intersection closing intermittently Interstate 494 closure slated for this weekend in Bloomington-Richfield area '100 deadliest days' on roads kick off Memorial Day weekend
CTV News
30-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Louise Bridge closure extended until end of July
A Winnipeg bridge will now remain closed to motorists until the end of July. The Louise Bridge, which connects Point Douglas to Elmwood, was closed on May 23 for its annual inspection and maintenance. CTV News previously reported it was supposed to reopen on Sunday. However, according to a Friday news release, the city said corrosion discovered during the inspection must be fixed before the bridge can reopen. The city anticipates that work won't be completed until late July. The Louise Bridge will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists while repairs are being done; however, the city notes access could be blocked off from time to time to allow work to proceed. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes like the Disraeli Bridge or Provencher Bridge over the next two months and allow for additional time.
