Pittsburgh Bridge Collapse: Panel To Scrutinize Spans, Tunnels

Pittsburgh PA

01 February, 2022

9:32 AM

Description

PITTSBURGH, PA — In the wake of the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse, the city plans to establish a panel that will pay close attention to the city's aging roads, bridges and tunnels. Mayor Ed Gainey and Councilman Corey O'Connor on Tuesday announced legislation to establish The Commission on Infrastructure Asset Reporting and Investment. The panel will advise on best practices for both short- and long-term investment in the upkeep and improvement of major city-maintained infrastructure assets. One of those assets, the Fern Hollow span over Frick Park, collapsed Friday and injured 10 people. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, which on Monday resulted in the surreal scene of a Port Authority bus being lifted out of the span's ruins via crane. The commission will provide the administration and city council policy and budgeting recommendations on city-maintained infrastructure and future infrastructure projects and investments. The 15-member commission will include city officials, organized labor representatives, representatives of the construction industry and city residents with credentials and experience relevant to construction or infrastructure maintenance. "The collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge has prompted my administration to take swift action to ensure adequate investment of our city's infrastructure," Gainey said in a statement. "This legislation will allow us to implement best practices for long-term maintenance of our critical assets and provide greater transparency to the public." O'Connor on Tuesday introduced the legislation,which was accompanied by an ordinance to amend the city code and establish regular update reports on the portfolio of major city-maintained infrastructure such as bridges and tunnels. The reports will be developed by the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure and be accessible to the public via a new website. O'Connor, whose district includes the site of the collapse, said the legislation will "make the process of maintaining and improving our infrastructure more transparent. To make sure that Pittsburghers get to where they need to go safely and securely, this legislation will also bring experts to the table to provide guidance on our immediate infrastructure needs and prioritizing long-term strategic investment." Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.