PRT is preparing the century-old Panhandle Bridge \u2014 which carries light rail over the Monongahela River between Station Square and First Avenue \u2014 for what the agency called a \u201cmajor\u201d long-term rehabilitation project worth $58 million.<\/p>\n
The initial preparation work, which will not affect light rail service, involves painting, electrical work and concrete substructure repairs, PRT spokesman Adam Brandolph said.<\/p>\n
The project will begin next spring and take 32 months to complete. Pittsburgh-based Mosites Construction Co. will repair steel and concrete, install lighting \u201cfor both service and decorative purposes\u201d and replace rail and power lines, Brandolph said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rehabilitation and restoration project is intended to extend the bridge\u2019s useful life and help ensure that PRT can continue providing safe, reliable light rail service to Downtown for future generations,\u201d Brandolph said.<\/p>\n
Light rail service will drop from two tracks to one between the South Hills Junction and First Avenue Station during construction, and commuters should expect weekend bridge closures that affect both buses and light rail, Brandolph said.<\/p>\n
PRT plans to announce specific closures and detours when the construction schedule is final.<\/p>\n
The Panhandle Bridge opened in 1903 and originally served the Pittsburgh and Steubenville Railroad Company\u2019s route through the northern panhandle of West Virginia. PRT converted the bridge to serve light rail in 1984.<\/p>\n