2 Robinson Bridges In Poor Condition, Need To Be Replaced

ROBINSON TOWNSHIP, PA — Twenty-seven of the 305 longest bridges that Allegheny County maintains are in poor condition and need repaired or replaced - including two in Robinson. The county has provided an update on its bridge maintenance program following last week's collapse of the city of Pittsburgh-owned Fern Hollow Bridge.

Of those 27, seven are expected to be replaced or razed this year. Construction projects for 18 others are expected to be bid before 2024. The remaining two bridge projects are scheduled to be scoped to begin construction design within the next year.

A bridge is considered in poor condition if any of its components – deck, superstructure, or substructure - receive a 4 or lower rating on a 1-9 scale. A poor rating does not necessarily mean that a bridge is unsafe to drivers. The types of issues identified by inspectors and the level of deterioration determines whether a bridge needs to have a weight limit or closure implemented, county officials said.

The county has replaced or repaired 51 percent of its poorest-rated bridges this year. About $38 million is budgeted for bridge projects this year.

The Fern Hollow Bridge collapse "highlighted just how important it is to invest in our aging infrastructure,” County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said in a statement.

A rundown of the 27 bridges in poor shape:

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