Mayor Ravenstahl Celebrates the Completion of the Bates Street/Eliza Furnace Trail Bridge Improvement Project

October 3, 2011 – Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and community stakeholders have officially cut the ribbon for the Eliza Furnace Trail Bridge project, the final part of the City's efforts to improve the Bates Street/Second Avenue portal into Oakland.

The yearlong, 5.2 million infrastructure improvement project has improved traffic flow by widening the Bates Street approach to Second Avenue from three lanes to five. In addition, the project enlarged and improved the aesthetics of the Eliza Furnace Trail Bridge, and improved the entrance way into Oakland, the Pittsburgh Technology Center, and the South Side Works with new traffic signals, signage and landscaping.

Anticipated Notice to Proceed Date – July 26, 2010
Anticipated Completion Date – August 19, 2011

Work is scheduled to begin for the $3,789,829.00 construction project at the intersection of Bates Street and Second Avenue. Work will consist of the replacing the Eliza Furnace Trail Bridge over Bates Street (SR 885), associated trail enhancements, and specific roadway improvements along Bates Street, including:

• roadway reconstruction and widening,
• associated drainage,
• pavement marking,
• signing,
• a new traffic signal at the intersection of Bates Street and Second Avenue,
• and other miscellaneous construction all within an overall length of approximately 540 linear feet (.102 miles).

This area will be encompassing State Route 885 (Bates Street) in Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh from approximately the intersection of Technology Drive at Second Avenue to a point approximately 615 feet from the same intersection. Gulisek Construction, LLC is the Prime contractor

Construction of the project and development of traffic control for the work area during the major construction phasing is as follows:

Phase 1 – Beginning August 25, 2010

• Lane closures along Second Ave. will only be during off peak hours; therefore there will be no lane closures on Second Ave. between 6 A.M. to 9 A.M. or from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. daily.
• Bus stops will be relocated if impacted.
• Construction along Second Ave will be restricted to one 12-foot lane on the south side of Second Avenue (eastbound) between Middle Access Drive and Sr. 0885 (Bates St.). A new sidewalk and curb ramp on the southwest corner of Second Ave and Technology Dr. will be constructed with complete pedestrian access being maintained throughout the intersection.
• Traffic will be restricted to one 12-foot lane on the south side of Second Ave. (eastbound between S.R. 0885 (Bates St.)and Hot Metal Street. A new sidewalk and curb ramp will be constructed on the southeast corner of Second Ave. and Technology Dr. Again, pedestrian access throughout the intersection will be maintained. Traffic signal installation will also be done.
• Traffic will be restricted to one 10-foot lane in both the northbound and southbound directions on Sr. 0885 (Bates St.) between Ramp D and Hodge St. The concrete median on Sr. 0885 (Bates St.) will be removed and replaced with temporary pavement. Full access will be maintained for Hodge St. and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp).
• Pedestrian access will be maintained during construction at all times and so will traffic on the Eliza Furnace Trail throughout Phase 1.

Phase 2

• All Sidewalks and curb ramps constructed during Phase 1 will be opened.
• Construction of the temporary shoring for the installation of the New Eliza furnace Trail Bridge will begin.
• Traffic signal installation will continue.
• Traffic will be restricted to one 11-foot lane in both the northbound and southbound directions on S.R. 0885 (Bates St.) between Second Ave. and Ramp D. The concrete curb will be removed along S.R. 0885 (Bates St.) and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp) adjacent to the northbound lane and will be replaced with temporary pavement as well as additional temporary pavement adjacent and within the shoulder areas.
• Pedestrian access will be maintained during construction at all times.
• Full access to Hodge St. and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp) will be maintained and so will traffic on the Eliza Furnace Trail throughout Phase 2.

Phase 3

• Traffic signal installation will continue.
• Traffic will be restricted to one 12-foot lane on the north side of Second Ave. (westbound) between Middle Access Dr. and S.R. 0885 (Bates St.).
• The Eliza Furnace Trail Detour will be implemented (for details on this detour please see detour information). The Existing Eliza Furnace Trail Bridge will be closed to pedestrian traffic.
• Traffic will be restricted to one 10-foot lane in both the northbound and southbound directions on S.R. 0885 (Bates St.) from Second Ave. to Hodge St. and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp).
• The existing Eliza Furnace Trail Bridge and trail tie-ins will be removed and construction of new bridge and tie-ins will begin.
• Possible weeknight or weekend vehicular detours will be implemented throughout phase for construction.
• Pedestrian access will be maintained during construction at all times.
• Full access to Hodge St. and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp) will be maintained and so will traffic on the Eliza Furnace Trail via the detour throughout Phase 3.

Phase 4

• Traffic signal installation will continue.
• The new Eliza Furnace Trail Bridge and trail tie-ins will be opened to pedestrian traffic.
• Traffic will be restricted to one 10-foot lane in both the northbound and southbound directions on S.R. 0885 (Bates St.) from Second Ave. to Hodge St. and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp).
• Traffic will be restricted to one 12-foot lane on the north side of Second Ave. (westbound) between Middle Access Dr. and S.R. 0885 (Bates St.).
• Lane closures along Second Ave. will only be during off peak hours; therefore there will be no lane closures on Second Ave. between 6 A.M. to 9 A.M. or from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. daily.
• Bus stops will be relocated if impacted.
• A new sidewalk on the north side of Second Ave. (westbound ) and the new sidewalk on the west side of S.R. 0885 (Bates St. ) connection Hodge St. to Second Ave. will be constructed.
• Roadway pavement for Hodge St. will then commence.
• Pedestrian access will be maintained during construction at all times.
• Full access to Hodge St. and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp) will be maintained and so will traffic on the Eliza Furnace Trail throughout Phase 4.

Phase 5

• The new sidewalk on the north side of Second Ave. (westbound ) and the new sidewalk on the west side of S.R. 0885 (Bates St. ) connection Hodge St. to Second Ave. will be opened to pedestrians.
• Traffic will be restricted to one 10-foot lane in both the northbound and southbound directions on Sr. 0885 (Bates St.) from Second Ave. to Ramp D. Roadway pavement will be constructed for the southbound lanes on S.R. 0885(Bates St.).
• Lane closures along Second Ave. will only be during off peak hours; therefore there will be no lane closures on Second Ave. between 6 A.M. to 9 A.M. or from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. daily.
• Bus stops will be relocated if impacted.
• Pedestrian access will be maintained during construction at all times.
• Full access to Hodge St. and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp) will be maintained and so will traffic on the Eliza Furnace Trail throughout Phase 5.

Phase 6

• The southbound side of S.R. 0885(Bates St.) will be opened.
• Traffic signal installation will be completed.
• Traffic will be restricted to one 10-foot lane in both the northbound and southbound directions on Sr. 0885 (Bates St.) from Second Ave. to Ramp A. A new sidewalk area on the northeast corner of the S.R. 0885(Bates St.) and Second Ave. intersection will be constructed. Roadway pavement for the northbound lanes on S.R. 0885(Bates St.) from Second Ave. to Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp) will also be constructed.
• Lane closures along Second Ave. will only be during off peak hours; therefore there will be no lane closures on Second Ave. between 6 A.M. to 9 A.M. or from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. daily.
• Bus stops will be relocated if impacted.
• Pedestrian access will be maintained during construction at all times.
• Full access to Hodge St. and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp) will be maintained and so will traffic on the Eliza Furnace Trail throughout Phase 6.

Phase 7

• Traffic will be restricted to one 10-foot lane in both the northbound and southbound directions on Sr. 0885 (Bates St.) from Second Ave. to Ramp A. Roadway and shoulder pavement for the northbound lanes on S.R. 0885 (Bates St.) from Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp) to Ramp A will be constructed.
• Pedestrian access will be maintained during construction at all times.
• Full access to Hodge St. and Ramp B (Tunnel Ramp) will be maintained and so will traffic on the Eliza Furnace Trail throughout Phase 7.