BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

It's very busy on weekends. The past couple of weekends I've had reason to go through there (on way to Keg Ride, last Saturday, for instance) and found it to be an active work zone. Usually about four people working there, with the backhoe in use.

They anticipate bikes, so use the path if present, and they will gladly stop operations and direct you wherever it's safe to go.

Don't use the road. You'll get killed. (Speaking as one who's been posting about this little piece of the planet ever since I joined this board four or five years ago.)

The sidewalk was more accessible this morning (the backhoe had dug it up and moved on) just a few signs to get around, no climbing necessary. Still no idea where the pedestrians are supposed to go. Coming towards Millvale on the bridge, the caution tape means what it says, there's a big drop off the end of the paved section.

Having the new (unopened) section of 28 all to myself was niiice.

Yeah the workers there are helpful. When I first started riding in that way the traffic cop stationed at the lights used to stop all the traffic on 28 so I could cross from the goat path to the bridge sidewalk.

Is there going to be a bike-ped route when this is all finished?

It looks like there's a sidewalk going in where the old one (side nearest the river) used to be. I don't know where to find the official plans.

I posed the question to penndot. This is what I got in return.

They are planning on completing the work affecting this facility sometime this week. The reason for the restrictions is the contractor is replacing the sidewalk and adding a new ADA ramp. They are also shortening the barrier to eliminate trucks from tracking up onto it, and lastly, they are relocating conduit that feeds the lane controls on the bridge. He informed me that there is a pedestrian detour since the sidewalk is closed on the northern side of the bridge utilizing the sidewalk on the southern side.

SO, I THINK THAT MEANS.....

that the detour requiring all pedestrians to use the sidewalk on the south side of the bridge (the one closest to town) will be over soon, and that both sidewalks will then be open for use......

Some new info:

News for Immediate Release

05/10/2012

Northbound Route 28 Traffic Stoppages Monday Night in Millvale

Pittsburgh, PA

PennDOT District 11 is announcing brief traffic stoppages on northbound (outbound) Route 28 in the Borough of Millvale, Allegheny County, will occur on Monday night, May 14 weather permitting.

Crews will be installing barrier in the area of the 40th Street Bridge. Intermittent stoppages of 15 minutes or less will occur as needed from 8 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday.

Motorists should expect delays and stop conditions.

The $23.5 million Route 28/40th Street Improvement Project includes widening and reconstruction, drainage, concrete barrier, concrete curb and sidewalk, highway lighting, signing and pavement marking, sign structures, signals and ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) installation, wall construction, water line and sewer relocation, demolition, and other construction from the 31st Street Bridge (Route 2122) to north of the 40th Street Bridge (Route 2124) interchange. The Trumbull Corporation of Pittsburgh is the prime contractor.

To sign up for PennDOT’s Route 28 email notification list for traffic and construction advisories, send email addresses to jstruzzi@pa.gov. Please write “Subscribe – Route 28” in the subject line.

Motorists are advised to use caution and allow extra time when traveling on Route 28. Visit 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before traveling.

however I also go this:

Route 28 Allegheny Valley Expressway

Barrier Installation

Intermittent stoppages of 15 minutes or less will occur as needed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday on northbound (outbound) Route 28 in the area of the 40th Street Bridge in Millvale. Crews will be installing barrier.

Full release: Northbound Route 28 Traffic Stoppages Saturday in Millvale

So if you're a night owl, they may close whatever, whenever, from today until Tuesday (or whenever).

For cyclists, I think this could mean barriers may be changing very soon. I'm not sure if it helps, but it's the latest news I've got. They're also monkeying around with 579, Vets Bridge, Ft. Duquesne Bridge, and I79's Neville Island Bridge, 376E tunnel rehab, and some others.

Orange cone season is officially in full swing.

Huh. I've never seen 'barrier' as a mass noun before. (Of course, I'd never seen it called a "guide rail" before I moved to Pittsburgh, either...)

The new sidewalk concrete was 3/4 done on Friday morning. The sidewalk at the bridge corner is a rubble field. The push button for the ped xing light has gone (and so has the pole it used to be on).

The ITS should be a bike path.