Ross Township residents and commuters are facing detours after the sudden closure of a bridge over a major highway. The Allegheny County Department of Public Works shut down the Jacks Run Road Bridge No. 3 after an inspection revealed corrosive damage to its structural integrity. The bridge, which spans over I-279, is a significant thoroughfare between Bellevue Road/Bellpark Drive and Kane Lane, used by an average of 4,631 vehicles daily, according to information shared by WPXI.
During an inspection, crews found "corroded steel in the bridge's only pier," making it impossible for engineers, who were working assiduously, to determine the bridge's weight-bearing capacity. Traffic is now being rerouted via Brighton Road, Lincoln Avenue, North Balph Avenue, and Bellevue Road. "Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of drivers using the bridge and those driving underneath it on I-279, we made the difficult decision to close the bridge today," Stephen Shanley, DPW Director, stated, as detailed by WPXI in a statement.
Built in 1986, the bridge has been rated a four on a 0-9 scale for condition, signifying a poor status under the National Bridge Inspection Standards by the Federal Highway Administration. In response to the unexpected closure, officials are also reviewing the feasibility of accelerating the construction schedule of a new Jacks Run Bridge, initially scheduled for 2027. The possibility of opening the bridge more quickly with temporary repairs is also under consideration, if expedited replacement proves to be unfeasible, as reported by WTAE.
For now, residents and commuters will have to adjust their routes and schedules.
