Officials raise weight limit on Liberty Bridge to 30 tons
PITTSBURGH (AP) – PennDOT raised the weight limit on Pittsburgh’s Liberty Bridge to 30 tons.
The change comes Thursday, three days after the bridge was reopened with a nine-ton weight restriction following a Sept. 2 fire that closed the span for repairs.
Workers have finished temporary repairs to realign the damaged lower cord. But crews will continue repairs on weekdays and weekends, shutting the bridge down on weekends if needed.
The fire began on plastic pipes and a construction tarp as crews were cutting steel as part of an $80 million reconstruction project. The fire damaged a crucial support beam. Plans for permanent repairs are still being worked out.