A contractor hired by the city of Pittsburgh is preparing to start repairs on the Panther Hollow Bridge, which connects Oakland (near Phipps Conservatory) to Schenley Park and surrounding East End neighborhoods.

The bridge closed in October 2024, “amid an abundance of caution,” the city said at that time, following recommendations from PennDOT and an inspection consultant.

Contractors recently installed a work platform under the bridge that will prevent debris from falling below. Repairs will include truss retrofits, drainage system improvements, and general maintenance. 

Construction is anticipated to go through August 2026, the city said, with a short opening for the Pittsburgh Grand Prix in July. A public pedestrian access path will be maintained during construction.

Bridge repairs will ultimately allow the bridge to be fully reopened to vehicle traffic in late summer 2026. At this time, no long-term disruptions are expected to the various Panther Hollow Trails below the bridge.

The 640-foot-long Panther Hollow Bridge was built in 1896 and refurbished in 1999.

Since the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Point Breeze on Jan. 28, 2022, the city has taken a very cautious stance on bridge safety. The nearby Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge, which carried the Boulevard of the Allies across Junction Hollow, was closed abruptly on Feb. 1, 2023, to vehicle traffic. 

Earlier this month, the city announced that some unexpected deterioration has been found in portions of the steel structure of the Anderson Bridge.

“These areas require additional repairs to ensure the bridge remains safe and reliable for everyone who uses it,” the announcement said. “Addressing these conditions involves carefully coordinating new repairs with ongoing construction activities. In many cases, certain repairs must be completed before others can safely begin, which affects the overall sequence and timing of the work.”

Because of these factors, the bridge rehabilitation project will take longer to complete than originally anticipated. At this time, crucial activities are pushed into spring of 2028, which means the earliest the bridge can be opened to traffic will be in 2028, the city said.

— Susan Jones

 

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