Andy Warhol Bridge Rehabilitation

Hill provided construction management and inspection services for the rehabilitation of the Andy Warhol (7th Street) Bridge, originally built in 1925. The Andy Warhol, Roberto Clemente, and Rachel Carson Bridges, known as the “Three Sisters Bridges” because of their similar designs, connect Downtown Pittsburgh with the North Shore. The 960-foot-long, 6-span bridge Andy Warhol Bridge consists of 3 self-anchored steel eye bar suspension main spans and 3 riveted built-up girder approach spans. About 6,000 cars use the bridge daily.

The project involved full bridge deck replacement, including installation of a nine inch steel reinforced deck; steel repairs including fascia connections, floor beam connections, stiffening girders, and sidewalk braces; sloped plate and curb installations to keep moisture from accumulating along existing stiffening girder; framework for decorative lighting to match the historic dual lanterns on the nearby Roberto Clemente Bridge and fixtures on pylons to match those on the original Andy Warhol Bridge; repair of buckle plates; refurbishment of suspension tower bearings; replacement of existing bearings and tie-down linkages at piers; repair of river pier footing and installation of scour protection; replacement of the expansion dam with neoprene strip seam dams; pointing of masonry joints in piers; repair and replacement of utility conduits and bracing; installation of new scuppers and down spouting; installation of approach slabs and mill and overlay of existing roadway approach; converting the bridge from 4, 8.25 foot lanes to 3, 11 foot lanes, 1 in each direction with a turning lane in the middle; and total repainting of the superstructure in the original Aztec Gold.

The project presented unique challenges such as the closeness of the ALCOA and Matthews Buildings along with the tight clearances for barge traffic while construction was completed on the pier substructure. The unique challenges this style of bridge poses to the painting contractor include multiple plies of riveted steel plates and the tight quarters inside the stiffening box girders.

navigate_before   navigate_next