Fay, S&B USA Construction has reopened the I-376 Commercial Street Bridge in Pittsburgh after completing a major bridge replacement project using accelerated bridge construction (ABC) methods. The bridge reopened on July 27, just 17 days after closing and one week ahead of PennDOT’s deadline. The project combined large-scale demolition, bridge construction, and a record-setting lateral bridge slide to minimize disruption on one of western Pennsylvania’s busiest highways.
Fay Reopens I-376 Commercial Street Bridge Early
Fay, a Pittsburgh-based contractor specializing in heavy highway and heavy civil construction across the Mid-Atlantic region, reopened the I-376 Commercial Street Bridge for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on July 27.
The bridge reopened 17 days after its closure and one week before PennDOT’s maximum reopening deadline of Aug. 3.
During the closure, Fay demolished the existing bridge and completed a lateral slide of the replacement bridge into its permanent position using accelerated bridge construction (ABC) methods.
Accelerated Bridge Construction Reduced Traffic Disruption
New Bridge Built Beside Existing Structure
Fay constructed the replacement bridge beside the existing 75-year-old Commercial Street Bridge before moving it into place.
Using accelerated bridge construction methods reduced what would have been more than four years of long-term lane closures and restrictions on I-376 to fewer than three weeks of partial corridor closure.
The affected section extended between the Edgewood/Swissvale (Exit 77) interchange and the Squirrel Hill Tunnel through Edgewood, Swissvale boroughs, and the city of Pittsburgh.
According to the source material, I-376 carries more than 100,000 vehicles each day, making it one of western Pennsylvania’s busiest highways.
Largest ABC Project in Fay’s History
Ryan Surrena, president of Fay, highlighted the significance of the project.
“This is Fay’s 10th ABC project and marks the largest one in Fay’s nearly 80-year history.”
He added:
“We thank PennDOT for the confidence in our team to deliver the largest lateral bridge slide in Pennsylvania, as well as the traveling public and regional businesses for their patience as we constructed and slid the modern structure into position. From day one of work, PennDOT and Fay shared a common vision to deliver this project safely, quickly and precisely.”
Demolition and Bridge Replacement
Replacing a 75-Year-Old Bridge
Completed in 1951, the original Commercial Street Bridge had reached the end of its service life and could no longer carry permit loads, leading to its replacement.
Fay’s demolition team dismantled the existing bridge in six days. Crews first removed the concrete deck, parapets, and overhangs using conventional demolition methods before carrying out a controlled implosion to bring down the remaining concrete structure safely.
Technical Details of the New Bridge
Three-Span Arched Delta Frame Structure
The replacement bridge was constructed over approximately two years as part of a $95 million project.
The new bridge includes:
- Three spans.
- Seven 825-linear-foot girder lines.
- Seven steel pieces in each delta frame weighing between 25,000 and 80,000 pounds.
- A 163-foot header beam, the largest steel component.
The bridge also meets modern highway standards by incorporating 4-foot-wide median shoulders and 12-foot-wide right shoulders. These features provide space for disabled vehicles, emergency response, and future maintenance activities.
During construction, crews only required intermittent lane closures for steel girder deliveries, overhead sign work, and other supporting activities.
Record-Setting Bridge Slide
Mammoet Completed the Lateral Move
Mammoet, the Netherlands-based heavy-lifting specialist, lifted and slid the completed bridge from its temporary foundations onto permanent foundations.
The bridge weighed 22 million pounds (11,000 tons) and moved 102 feet across four continuous rails using 42 proprietary skidding system jacks.
The slide took less than 10 hours to complete.
According to Mammoet, the Commercial Street Bridge is the heaviest bridge the company has moved in the United States.
Remaining Work Continues Through 2027
Although traffic is now using the new bridge, the overall project will continue into summer 2027.
The remaining work includes:
- Returning Commercial Street below the bridge to its original alignment.
- Removing the temporary bridge foundations.
- Clearing remaining construction debris.
- Restoring Frick Park’s Nine Mile Run stream and hiking trail.
- Planting approximately 5,000 new trees and shrubs to restore the project site.
Project Analysis
The Commercial Street Bridge project demonstrates how accelerated bridge construction can shorten closure periods on heavily traveled highways. Fay built the replacement bridge beside the existing structure before completing a lateral slide into its permanent location. The project also included the largest lateral bridge slide in Pennsylvania and, according to Mammoet, the heaviest bridge move completed by the company in the United States.
Conclusion
Fay completed the replacement of Pittsburgh’s I-376 Commercial Street Bridge ahead of schedule by using accelerated bridge construction methods. The project combined bridge demolition, off-line construction, and a large-scale lateral slide to reopen the highway after just 17 days of closure. While motorists are already using the new bridge, additional site restoration and finishing work will continue through summer 2027.
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