A look at the demolition of the old Commercial Street Bridge

Before crews can slide the new Commercial Street Bridge into place, they have to get rid of the old structure first! We are helping you get the facts, taking a closer look at that process. When and how will the old bridge be brought down? Viewer Chris, from Latrobe, wrote to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 asking about the process of getting rid of the old bridge. A reminder: The Parkway closes in both directions starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 10. The work to tear down the old bridge begins almost immediately after that closure. According to the team at Faye S&B USA Construction, crews will work around the clock. They will begin in the middle of the bridge, progressing outward on each side to remove the deck. During this portion of the work, they will be using more conventional mechanical removal methods, like excavators and demolition attachments. Once the deck removal is complete, explosives will be loaded for the second phase of the demolition: a controlled blast. This blast will be used to remove the arches and substructure of the old bridge.PennDOT officials have not given an exact date for the blast. However, during a public meeting last month, PennDOT explained that the blast is expected to occur sometime in the immediate week following the deck removal, possibly around July 14, 15 or 16. Do you have questions about the project, the work or the detours? Send us an email at traffictip@wtae.com. Check out the questions we’ve already answered: Here. FULL BREAKDOWN OF THE DETOURS: Click here

Before crews can slide the new Commercial Street Bridge into place, they have to get rid of the old structure first! We are helping you get the facts, taking a closer look at that process.

When and how will the old bridge be brought down?

Viewer Chris, from Latrobe, wrote to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 asking about the process of getting rid of the old bridge.

A reminder: The Parkway closes in both directions starting at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 10. The work to tear down the old bridge begins almost immediately after that closure.

According to the team at Faye S&B USA Construction, crews will work around the clock. They will begin in the middle of the bridge, progressing outward on each side to remove the deck. During this portion of the work, they will be using more conventional mechanical removal methods, like excavators and demolition attachments.

Once the deck removal is complete, explosives will be loaded for the second phase of the demolition: a controlled blast. This blast will be used to remove the arches and substructure of the old bridge.

PennDOT officials have not given an exact date for the blast. However, during a public meeting last month, PennDOT explained that the blast is expected to occur sometime in the immediate week following the deck removal, possibly around July 14, 15 or 16.

Do you have questions about the project, the work or the detours? Send us an email at traffictip@wtae.com. Check out the questions we’ve already answered: Here.

FULL BREAKDOWN OF THE DETOURS: Click here