Allegheny County will hold a virtual public hearing Thursday evening to get public input on the upcoming rehabilitation of the Patton Street Bridge in Wilmerding.

The project, which will result in the bridge across Turtle Creek being closed for about a year, likely is still two years away. The county’s Department of Public Works will hold a virtual meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday to discuss the project, and registration is required.

The department didn’t want to talk much about the project before the hearing, but in a news release it said it wants to present the preliminary construction and traffic control plans and get input on the final design. The department and its engineering consultant, Mackin Engineering, will conduct the meeting and answer questions.

Details the county submitted to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission for its long-range Transportation Improvement Project estimate the project at $15.45 million. The project could begin construction in the second quarter of 2026.

At its last inspection in April 2022, the bridge’s deck and substructure received ratings of five, just above poor.

The 426-foot steel girder bridge, built in 1971 and rehabilitated in 1999, joins the northern and southern parts of Wilmerding and provides a key link to Wall and North Versailles. It carries about 8,720 vehicles each day.

Ed Blazina

Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.

Ed Blazina

Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.