Construction is set to begin on the Panther Hollow Bridge, which has been closed since inspectors discovered corrosion on the span’s steel trusses during an inspection in fall 2024.
Pittsburgh on Wednesday said repairs on the 640-foot-long bridge — which spans Panther Hollow near Anderson Playground — will start within the next two weeks. Crews have already started installing safety infrastructure, including a work platform under the bridge to catch any falling debris.
Construction is expected to last through August and include truss retrofits, drainage system improvements and other repairs and maintenance, officials said in a news release.
The bridge will temporarily open in July for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Rolling closures are expected the following month.
The bridge, which links Oakland with Squirrel Hill, closed in October 2024 after a routine safety inspection. Inspectors worried corrosion could weaken the bridge, city officials said at the time.
Engineering work was conducted last summer, and bidding and contracting was completed in the fall, according to the city’s Engage PGH site.
Panther Hollow Bridge was built in 1896 and refurbished in 1999.
Mosites Construction is completing the repairs, which are expected to cost about $2.23 million.
Construction also is underway on the nearby Charles Anderson Memorial Bridge, which closed due to safety concerns in February 2023.
Located in Schenley Park, the 780-foot bridge opened in 1938 and was used by more than 21,000 vehicles per day before it was closed.
