Speaking at a news conference at the site of the collapsed bridge, Mayor Ed Gainey said the city is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to coordinate the additional reviews.
Vehicles that were on a bridge when it collapsed are visible as President Joe Biden visits the site where the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in Pittsburgh's East End. Pittsburgh’s 22 bridges rated in poor condition will undergo additional inspections as soon as possible to make sure they are not in danger of collapsing like the Fern Hollow Bridge did on Jan. 28, Mayor Ed Gainey announced Tuesday.
Fern Hollow had been rated in poor condition for more than 10 years before the collapse, Mr. Gainey said, so he wants an additional inspection to make sure none of the others are in danger of collapsing. All bridges over 20 feet long are required to be inspected at least every two years, but some bridges in poor condition have a more frequent schedule.
“If any of these bridges are determined to be unsafe, they will be closed immediately, “the mayor said. “We want to make sure none of us has to wake up to again.” “Luck goes to the prepared,” Mr. Gainey said. “If we’re not responding to this, this is not an office we should be in. That should be our No. 1 priority.A crane is in place as part of clean up efforts at the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh that collapsed Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)PennDOT officials and others said the estimated $4 billion over five years in extra funding through the Biden administration’s infrastructure program will help, but it isn’t nearly enough.