Route 19/Shaler Street Bridge Replacement

Project Overview

The $14.55 million Route 19/Shaler Street Bridge project began in early 2019. Approximately one mile of heavily traveled Route 19 in the City of Pittsburgh has undergone extensive improvement work including roadway reconstruction, median barrier replacement, lengthening of the Wabash Street deceleration ramp, sign structure replacements, and ramp reconstruction work. Additionally, as part of this project the Shaler Street Bridge was replaced using Accelerated Bridge Construction techniques.

The bridge replacement was PennDOT's first use of the Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) technology. Two 70-foot long steel girder superstructures were erected on temporary abutments in an adjacent parking lot near the existing bridge. Over two days the SPMT moved these superstructures into place creating a two-span bridge (built on a 14% grade to match conditions) as a replacement for the existing three-span bridge over Route 19. The SPMT move overcame several major obstacles including varying cross slopes and steep vertical grades on the roadway, the construction of a temporary compacted stone move path, aerial utilities, and past an adjacent building with 13 inches of horizontal clearing.

On April 18, 2020, PennDOT officials and consultants from H W Lochner had the opportunity to present the SPMT move via webinar to engineers across the country through Florida International University and the Accelerated Bridge Construction/University Transportation Center. The webinar was the third highest viewed presentation for the organization with over 1,682 participants. 

Select the image below to view a PDF of the presentation.