Pittsburgh, PA – April 23 2025 – COWI, a leading international engineering consulting group, is proud to announce key progress as the construction engineer for the I-376 Commercial Street Bridge Replacement project in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the installation of steel piles for the temporary sliding towers set to begin soon.
The $95 million project, located between the Edgewood/Swissvale interchange and the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, will replace the aging Commercial Street Bridge with a modern structure designed to improve safety and connectivity for Pittsburgh’s commuters. Utilizing Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, the new Arched Delta Frame Bridge will be built just south of the current structure and then laterally slid into place after the existing bridge is removed. This approach will minimize long-term disruptions to traffic on the heavily travelled I-376 corridor.
“This project is a great example of innovative techniques for bridge construction within restrictive project conditions with minimal disruption to motorists.” said Ivan Liu, Senior Bridge Engineer at COWI. “The new bridge will travel approximately 100 ft from its temporary position to its final location. Working with Fay, S&B USA Construction and Mammoet, our designs for the temporary sliding towers, and our prescribed geometry control and monitoring plan, will ensure a controlled and safe lateral slide process.”
Construction is progressing steadily and micropile foundations are currently being installed at key new pier and abutment locations, excavation is underway at Pier 1, and temporary ITS infrastructure is being relocated to accommodate future phases of work. In addition to the bridge replacement, the project includes new overhead signage, upgrades to guide rails and safety barriers, and the installation of an over-height truck detection system.
Once finished, the new bridge will enhance travel efficiency and improve safety along this critical transportation route. It will also incorporate long-term durability features, ensuring that Pittsburgh’s infrastructure can meet the demands of modern traffic while reducing future maintenance needs.
The bridge’s construction and the start of the major lateral slide procedure are expected to take place in mid-2026.
ABOUT COWI
COWI is a global consulting group headquartered in Denmark with 7,500 employees. Together with our customers, we work to shape a sustainable and liveable world by co-creating innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for people today and many generations ahead. Our range of services covers engineering, architecture, renewable energy, environmental services, and more. With a strong presence in Scandinavia, the UK and North America, and activities in more than 35 countries, we support our customers in achieving their sustainability goals. To learn more about COWI, visit us at www.cowi.com.
The post COWI advances key milestones for I-376 Commercial Street Bridge first appeared on Informed Infrastructure.