Over 40 bridges in Alle-Kiski Valley are rated the same as span that collapsed in Pittsburgh

In a town aptly dubbed the “City of Bridges,” Friday morning’s collapse of a span carrying traffic over Fern Hollow Creek in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park while cars and a Port Authority bus were on it might very well be the worst nightmare a local motorist could imagine.

The early morning bridge collapse, in which at least 10 people were injured, occurred on a bridge that was rated in poor condition, according to state transportation department records.

A review of the condition rating for bridges in the Alle-Kiski Valley shows that while the overwhelming majority of bridges in the portion of four counties that comprise the Allegheny Valley are in good to fair condition, a significant number carry a poor rating.

“Bridges are regularly inspected by engineers to determine their condition,” said Tina Gibbs, spokeswoman for PennDOT’s District 10 office, which is responsible for state bridges in Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana and Jefferson counties.

“Photos of video from drones is then reviewed along with the data that’s collected to determine if there is a need to place a weight restriction on the bridge to extend its life until it can be repaired or replaced,” she said.

Gibbs said a rating of “Good,” “Fair” or “Poor” is assigned to a bridge’s deck as well as the substructure and superstructure.

The overall condition is rated based on the lowest score in any of the three categories.

That means a bridge with “good” deck will get an overall rating of “fair” or “poor” if other parts of the structure aren’t up to par, she said.

Bridges that get a fair or poor rating often are subject to weight restrictions to extend its life until it can be refurbished or replaced, she said.

“In some cases, we can make emergency repairs to address the inspection issues. But as a last resort, some bridges have to be closed until they can be replaced,” she said. “We can also step up the inspections to make sure that the structure isn’t deteriorating faster than anticipated.

“It’s like when a person has a health problem: Once it’s diagnosed, you keep track of how things are going and return to the doctor to be checked every so often.”

Gibbs said PennDOT must follow federal guidelines for bridges and road construction and maintenance. She said winter weather, including the road salt used to melt ice and snow, also plays a role in causing bridges and roadways to deteriorate.

The Valley’s bridges

A review of PennDOT records for the bridges in the Alle-Kiski Valley by the Tribune-Review shows that more than 40 structures are rated as “Poor” by transportation agency engineers.

In the Armstrong County portion of the A-K Valley, there are seven bridges with a poor rating.

The list includes the general location of the bridge and the amount of vehicles that travel across it daily. Railroad bridges do not include a daily traffic count.

Armstrong

• Apollo: Route 56, traverses Sugar Hollow Run. Daily traffic: 7,959

• Kiski Township: North of Edmon Flat Run. Daily traffic: 747

• Kittanning Township: Red Mill Road. Daily traffic: 171

• North Buffalo: Pony Farm Road. Daily traffic: 198

• South Buffalo: Kerr No. 1, Route 128. Daily traffic: 988; Kerr No. 2, Route 128. Daily traffic: 988; Dock Hollow Run No. 1, Daily traffic: 33; Clinton Road, 1.5 miles south of Ford City Road

Westmoreland

PennDOT’s District 12 office covers Westmoreland, Washington, Greene and Fayette counties and is responsible for 2,339 total bridges.

Of that number, there are 64 listed in poor condition, which includes these spans in the Alle-Kiski Valley:

• Washington Township: Route Route 366 , traverses Poke Run. Daily traffic: 2,646; Route 366 over unnamed Creek. Daily traffic: 2,646; Pine Run Church Road over Pine Run. Daily traffic: 1,118

• Allegheny Township: Markle Road , traverses Chartiers Run: Daily traffic: 1,084; Route 356 over Pine Run; Daily traffic:12,248; Route 356 over the Kiski River. Daily traffic: 9,549; White Cloud Road . Daily traffic: 1,118; Hulton Road, over branch of Chartiers Creek. Daily traffic: 1,118

• Lower Burrell: Route 366, over branch of Pucketa Creek: Daily traffic: 7,991; Wildlife Lodge Road ,over Little Pucketa Creek. Daily traffic: 1,118

• Upper Burrell: Schafer Drive, over Pucketa Creek: Daily traffic: 1,118

Allegheny

State roads and bridges in Allegheny County are maintained by PennDOT’s District 11 office, which also covers Beaver and Lawrence counties. It’s responsible for 2,570 miles of roadway, 1,804 bridges and four tunnels.

Here are the bridges in the Alle-Kiski Valley portion of the county that are rated as poor:

• Springdale Township: Route 28 over Yutes Run. Daily traffic: 46,949 vehicles; Riddle Run Road, over Riddle Run. Daily traffic: unavailable; Freeport Road over Middle Run: Daily traffic: 12,491

• Tarentum: Tarentum Bridge ramp B. Daily traffic: 13,829; Tarentum Bridge ramp A. Daily traffic: 13,797; Mill Street. Daily traffic: 72; Ross Street/Fourth Avenue. Daily traffic: 65

• West Deer: Route 910 over Deer Creek. Daily traffic: 4,972; Michael Road over Little Deer Creek. Daily traffic: 3,959; Orange Belt at Valley Road. Daily traffic: 3,954; Dawson Road. Daily traffic: 45; Clendenning Road. Daily traffic: 32; McIntyre Road. Daily traffic: 34

• Frazer: Bailies Run Run Road. Daily traffic: 472

• Harrison: Pleasantville Road. Daily traffic: 984

• Fawn: Bakerstown Road. Daily traffic: 2,722; Howes Run Road. Daily traffic: 524; Millerstown Road. Daily traffic: 1,333; Thompson Road. Daily traffic: 54; Thompson Road. Daily traffic: 65

• East Deer — Bailies Run Road