City Council approves $1.5M contract to assess Pittsburgh's bridges

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday approved a trust fund and contract assess the city’s bridges.

Council approved a two-year, $1.5 million contract with WSP USA, an international company offering expertise and transportation and infrastructure, to manage the Comprehensive Bridge Asset Management Program.

Mayor Ed Gainey announced the program amid concerns about bridges in poor condition after the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed in January, injuring 10 people in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park. The Comprehensive Bridge Asset Management Program will aim to oversee the safety, maintenance and funding of the city’s 150 bridges.

City Council on Tuesday also approved legislation that will create the Bridge Asset Management Program Trust Fund, which will provide the money for the initiative.

Officials plan to put $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan dollars into the fund, according to Jake Pawlak, director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Other cash could be put into the fund as needed.

Related:

• Fern Hollow Bridge inspection troubling but did not suggest imminent danger, experts say

• 'It's a resource problem': 1 in 8 bridges in Pa. rated in 'poor' condition, records show

• Mayor Gainey says Pittsburgh will reinspect all city-owned bridges in poor condition

Both measures were unanimously approved Tuesday. Councilman Ricky Burgess was not present for the vote.

Through the Comprehensive Bridge Asset Management Program, a team of experts will review current bridge conditions and provide Gainey with a report on their findings by October. They also will be tasked with developing a list of immediate, near-term bridge repairs that need to be made.

Pawlak said the goal is to “modernize our systems for tracking this long-term.”

The program also will create a new bridge maintenance division, which will be responsible for bridge maintenance and upkeep.