Shadyside's poorly rated South Negley Avenue Bridge in 'sufficient operating condition,' mayor says

Pittsburgh’s poorly rated South Negley Avenue Bridge is in “sufficient operating condition,” according to Mayor Ed Gainey.

Some residents have expressed concern about the bridge because wooden posts underneath the deck appear to be supporting the structure.

Gainey said the wooden posts do not support the full weight of the bridge or the weight of vehicles driving across the span. Instead, he said the posts were installed in 2016 to reinforce the sidewalks for “increased pedestrian safety.”

The Shadyside bridge became a point of concern for some residents — particularly after the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park collapsed in January, injuring 10 people and spurring widespread concern about the city’s bridges.

PennDOT records show the South Negley Avenue Bridge is rated in poor condition — the same rating as the Fern Hollow Bridge. The 106-foot-long South Negley bridge, which is owned by the city, is used by about 15,000 vehicles per day, the records show.

An independent engineering firm that inspected the bridge in November determined weight limits were not necessary.

The firm rated the superstructure and the deck to be in fair condition. The substructure — which is owned not by the city, but by Norfolk Southern Railway — was rated in poor condition. The lowest scoring component gives the bridge is overall condition rating.

The firm’s inspection also determined that the bridge’s steel trusses were in fair condition.

The bridge is slated for repairs.

The city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure introduced legislation to City Council on Tuesday to advance preliminary engineering work for the bridge’s repairs. City officials have state and federal funding in place to perform “a full overhaul” of the span, the mayor’s office said.

The measure includes a roughly $25,600 agreement with Norfolk Southern.

A schedule for the repair work has not been set.