After two years of eagerly awaited construction, the Armstrong Tunnel in Pittsburgh is once again open to the public. The reopening marks the culmination of a $13 million project that has revitalized the nearly century-old passageway connecting drivers from Downtown to the South Side.
The extensive overhaul, which began in March 2023, was celebrated on Wednesday morning in a ceremony attended by various officials. Among those present were Pennsylvania State Senator Wayne Fontana, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, and public works leaders. "It's looking good, isn't it? It looks great," Fontana remarked, acknowledging the tunnel's much-needed facelift, as reported by CBS News Pittsburgh.
Improvements to the Armstrong Tunnel have been comprehensive. A prime focus was on enhancing safety measures. The original ceramic tile liner was replaced with fireproof wall panels from Belgium, designed to protect the tunnel's structure in the event of a fire. "If they're in the event of a fire, they're protecting the concrete and the tunnel structure behind it with the fire-resistant qualities that they have," Jason Molinero, Allegheny County Public Works deputy director, told CBS News Pittsburgh.
The tunnel's aesthetics have also received attention, with the installation of new lighting fixtures to brighten the once dimly lit space. "Today we're seeing what that hard work means. It’s on display with these bright new lights, CCTV monitoring," Sara Innamorato stated during the reopening event, according to WPXI. As a part of the upgrade, the sidewalks have been considerably widened, enhancing pedestrian access, while vehicular traffic lanes have been altered from two lanes to a single 12-foot lane.
These changes not only enhance safety but also improve accessibility. "We’re creating accessibility for more people to enjoy the infrastructure to come for years to come," remarked Rep. Summer Lee of the 12TH congressional district, as per WPXI. The Federal Highway Administration funded 80% of the project, with Allegheny County covering the remaining 20%. Although the Armstrong Tunnel is now operational, pedestrians will notice the sidewalk by the outbound tunnel remains closed through September due to adjacent construction work by Duquesne University.
