Route 51 bridge demolition underway in Pittsburgh

PennDOT says Saw Mill Run Boulevard bridge demolition will keep Route 51 closed through Thursday afternoon, Aug. 29

PennDOT says Saw Mill Run Boulevard bridge demolition will keep Route 51 closed through Thursday afternoon, Aug. 29

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PennDOT says Saw Mill Run Boulevard bridge demolition will keep Route 51 closed through Thursday afternoon, Aug. 29

UPDATE: The closure of Route 51 has been extended until 3 p.m. on Aug. 29 due to "unforeseen field conditions and utility relocation work," PennDOT says.

PREVIOUS: Part of Saw Mill Run Boulevard (Route 51) in Pittsburgh will be closed for most of August to accommodate the demolition of a bridge.

PennDOT says all lanes of Route 51 are closed between Crane Avenue and Woodruff Street until 5 a.m. on Aug. 26. Traffic is being detoured. (Scroll down to see the detour routes)

The closure started Thursday night, as crews began working to bring down the Saw Mill Run Boulevard bridge near Woodruff Street in Mount Washington.

Doug Thompson, assistant district executive of construction at PennDOT District 11, said the bridge will be demolished, not imploded.

"There will be equipment lifted up onto the bridge, and we'll be scooping off all the overburden or the fill on the bridge, and we will cut a hole in the deck, and they'll just drop down below, and they'll be scooping it up and trucking the material out. So there'll be no dramatic implosions or anything like that," Thompson said.

Thompson said the bridge was used by the railroad and most recently as a parking deck. He said while it is considered safe, it needs to come down for the long-term safety of travelers on Route 51.

Mount Washington resident Steve Augustine is bracing for the traffic headache.

"Every summer there's construction everywhere in Pittsburgh, so we're just all used to it," Augustine said.

Thompson said PennDOT has been in touch with businesses along the route.

"For their customers coming to the business, there will be signs indicating that the road will be open to those local businesses only," Thompson said.

Northbound Route 51

Southbound Route 51

Northbound Route 51

Southbound Route 51

Crane Avenue and Woodruff Street will remain open during this demolition, PennDOT said.