The Commercial Street Bridge along the Parkway East in the Pittsburgh area was demolished early Thursday morning in a controlled explosion, with PennDOT officials calling the operation “perfectly executed”. Bridge replacement projectThe demolition clears the way for a new 22-million-pound bridge to be slid into place along the existing alignment of I-376, a process considered a unique engineering feat.Despite being positioned next to the demolition site, the new bridge was not damaged. Delay in implosionThe implosion was initially scheduled for the previous night but was delayed due to insufficient daylight. “We knew we had an ambitious plan,” PennDOT official Jason Zang said. “The demo contractor felt confident, gave us about an hour and a half. People in the woods patrolling—it’s getting pretty dark under the cover of the trees. We just decided it was the right call.” Public reaction and safetyPennDOT also addressed concerns about air quality following the implosion, stating they had no concerns. Some residents reported feeling the vibrations from miles away, while others gathered to watch the event. “The sound was more of a loud crack than a boom, and I think I felt it more in my body,” Ash Strazzinski said. “Also, it’s an impressive feat of engineering. So just to witness it is special.” Another added, “It was more wild than riding the Black Widow at Kennywood.” Cleanup and timelineCleanup efforts are now underway and are expected to take several days. Once completed, crews will begin moving the new bridge into place.The affected portion of the highway will remain closed until August 3, weather permitting.
The Commercial Street Bridge along the Parkway East in the Pittsburgh area was demolished early Thursday morning in a controlled explosion, with PennDOT officials calling the operation “perfectly executed”.
Bridge replacement project
The demolition clears the way for a new 22-million-pound bridge to be slid into place along the existing alignment of I-376, a process considered a unique engineering feat.
Despite being positioned next to the demolition site, the new bridge was not damaged.
Delay in implosion
The implosion was initially scheduled for the previous night but was delayed due to insufficient daylight. “We knew we had an ambitious plan,” PennDOT official Jason Zang said. “The demo contractor felt confident, gave us about an hour and a half. People in the woods patrolling—it’s getting pretty dark under the cover of the trees. We just decided it was the right call.”
Public reaction and safety
PennDOT also addressed concerns about air quality following the implosion, stating they had no concerns.
Some residents reported feeling the vibrations from miles away, while others gathered to watch the event. “The sound was more of a loud crack than a boom, and I think I felt it more in my body,” Ash Strazzinski said. “Also, it’s an impressive feat of engineering. So just to witness it is special.” Another added, “It was more wild than riding the Black Widow at Kennywood.”
Cleanup and timeline
Cleanup efforts are now underway and are expected to take several days. Once completed, crews will begin moving the new bridge into place.
The affected portion of the highway will remain closed until August 3, weather permitting.
