Fort Pitt Bridge Reconstruction Project, USA

Fort Pitt serves as an entrance to Pittsburgh (in Pennsylvania, USA). The bridge and tunnels are currently undergoing a five-year reconstruction project. This project includes both improvements to the tunnels, and a complete deck replacement. It also involves the resurfacing of the roads around the tunnels and improvements made to the electrical and ventilation systems of the tunnels.

ROAD AND TUNNEL PROJECT TIME-SCALE

The project on Fort Pittsburgh's tunnels and roads began during 1998. It is estimated that the contractors are due to finish the project before the cold season of 2003.

THE FORT PITT ROADS

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) are the sponsors of the project, where the total cost of the project has been set by the sponsor as being $60 million. The road aspect of the project has four phases. It also involved changes to traffic signalling and a re-routing of traffic to avoid intolerable congestion during the project. These measures included 11 official detours, 2,000 construction and detour signs stretching as far north as Cranberry, and extra police assigned to as many as 50 intersections on opening day.

FORT PITT ROADS (PHASE ONE)

The first phase of the work has now been completed. It involved the renewal of the pavements in the area surrounding the bridge and tunnels, as well as work on the drainage in the area. There was also a certain amount of road work to the area's westbound travel lanes carried out during this phase.

FORT PITT ROADS (PHASE TWO)

The first stage of the second phase was to reopen the westbound travel lanes that were constructed in the first phase. The focus of work was diverted to the eastbound lanes. The contractors were required to allow pedestrian access as well as working on the drainage, pavements and roads of the eastbound lanes. The second phase also involved construction of a park in the region.

FORT PITT ROADS (PHASES THREE & FOUR)

The third phase is largely concerned with the removal of the temporary traffic system, and the continuing construction of the park and boulevard. The fourth phase involves the setting up of the new, and permanent, sign system and the final inspection of works.

TUNNEL INTERIOR

Work on the tunnel is expected to dominate the project during 2001. When work is finished on the inbound tunnel, work will switch to the outbound tunnel. The tunnel is the subject of a number of measures designed to enhance its safety and flow of traffic conditions. According to PennDOT, this accounts for $12.9 million of the project cost. This part of the project will be completed during the first half of 2002. The work will include an upgrade of the ventilation systems, renewal of the wiring and lighting systems, safety renovations such as replacing CO₂ detectors, fire detection systems, extinguisher equipment, and the installation of emergency call stations in the tunnel. There will also be work undertaken on two large turbines with motors and fans that provide tunnel ventilation, which are planned to be replaced. Throughout this work, travellers will continue to use the tunnel. The contract is to be completed by April 2002.

WORK AT FORT PITT AFTER 2001

In 2002 and 2003 one side of the Fort Pitt Tunnels and one deck of the Fort Pitt Bridge will be closed each year. The companies awarded with these contracts are yet to be announced.

LEAD CONTRACTORS

Wilbur Smith Associates (WSA) were hired to analyse the project. Trumbull served as general contractor for the rehabilitation of three southbound lanes (or half) of what is known as the portal bridge. This element of the overall project is believed to be worth about $15 million, and Trumbell are expected to receive a large share of this amount.