Naming of the Bridge
The formal name has been and will continue to be the Beechwood Boulevard Bridge, commonly known by the name the Greenfield Bridge. The bridge is called the Beechwood Boulevard Bridge because it serves as the terminus to Beechwood Boulevard, a recreational boulevard designed to connect the city’s three major parks: Highland Park, Frick Park and Schenley Park. (The original intention of the bridge was to extend down Washington Boulevard to Allegheny Boulevard enabling motorists to enter Highland Park).
Originally constructed circa 1921, inspection and analysis of the structure has indicated the bridge needs to be replaced.
The bridge location and architecture suggest a context sensitive design and coordination with PennDOT for I-376 traffic impacts. It is anticipated that pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular traffic will be rerouted for the full duration of the work.
- Classification: Community Arterial
- Limits: Pocusset Drive to Alger Street
- Length: 466' total length; 274' main span (Existing Bridge)
- Width: 30' of roadway curb to curb; two 6'7" sidewalks (Existing Bridge)
- Location: City of Pittsburgh, Squirrel Hill Area spanning I-376 (Parkway East) near Squirrel Hill Tunnels
2017 Beechwood Boulevard Bridge (PDF)
The new Beechwood Boulevard Bridge is a state-of-the-art steel open spandrel arch that according to Patrick Hassett, Assistant Director of the Bureau of Engineering, “…incorporates elements of the existing bridge’s original grandeur by salvaging and incorporating the decorative urns and pillars built in the early 1900s. The new bridge combines historical beauty while providing improved accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.”
Connecting the community of Greenfield to Schenley Park and beyond, a 10’ pedestrian sidewalk and dedicated bike lane will make the bridge safer for drivers, walkers and bicyclists while expanding the City’s efforts to make Pittsburgh more walkable and bike-friendly. Landscaping of adjacent greenspace and its incorporation as part of Schenley Park will complement the attractiveness of the bridge upon entering and leaving Greenfield.
The Year of the Bridge
Facts Sheet
- The contractor for the Greenfield Bridge Reconstruction Project will be selected in August 2015.
- The (Tentative) Bridge schedule is to close this fall on Saturday morning October 17, 2015. The contractor will then dismantle as much of the bridge as possible before its implosion after Christmas.
- The bridge's closure will extend from Alger Street in Greenfield to Overlook Drive in Schenley Park. Pedestrian and bike access may be maintained along Greenfield Road to Pocusset pending contractor concurrence.
- For the implosion, the Parkway will be closed for a five day period between midnight Christmas Day and midnight January 3, 2016, a seven day time period. Outbound traffic will exit the Parkway at Forbes and inbound at Wilkinsburg.
- The actual implosion will occur between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm on December 28th, 29th or 30th.
- The Bridge is scheduled to be completed in May of 2017.
- The Bridge's original (and official) name, "The “Beechwood Boulevard Bridge" will be reinstated.
Greenfield Bridge Project
Additional Resources: PennDOT Traffic Cameras | PennDOT Construction Hotline – (412) 429-6035 | Pittsburgh Area Traffic
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