Traffic patterns will change Tuesday on the Smithfield Street Bridge following a full closure Monday night of the structure that crosses the Monongahela River between Downtown Pittsburgh and the South Side at East Carson Street.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said the bridge, which is in the midst of an $8.49 million rehabilitation, will close at 8 p.m. Monday to all traffic except emergency vehicles and Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses. When it reopens at 6 a.m. Tuesday, the traffic pattern will be different, with one downriver lane and the sidewalk closed.
Previously, the two upriver lanes and sidewalk were closed.
During the closure, PennDOT recommends inbound traffic follow East Carson Street to South 10th Street and turn left to cross the Philip Murray Bridge to Second Avenue. Outbound traffic should head inbound on Smithfield Street, turn right on the Boulevard of the Allies and right on Second Avenue to the Philip Murray Bridge at South 10th Street.
The historic bridge is having its sidewalks and deck replaced, steel repairs, spot painting, concrete and masonry repairs on its substructure, and upgrades to its lane control and pedestrian signals. Work should be finished next summer.
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.