Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Building Innovation is a collection of stories by 90.5 fm WESA reporters about the Pittsburgh region focusing on efficient government operation, infrastructure and transportation, innovative practices, energy and environment and neighborhoods and community.

Detours En Route With Next Phase Of Baum/Bigelow Road Project

UPDATE 8/26/15:

As of 8:00 am PennDOT has  postponed the work for 24 hours.  The project is now slated to begin Thursday Aug. 27.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Getting from Oakland to Bloomfield will get a bit harder starting Wednesday morning. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is closing Baum and Bigelow (officially designated as PA Route 380) boulevards from Melwood Avenue to the Bloomfield Bridge for an estimated 91 days.

“We’re going to be completely reconstructing the concrete roadway,” PennDOT spokesperson Steve Cowen said. “That roadways is in disrepair so it is important for us to go in and do the reconstruction, not only on the roadway but also on the access points to the Bloomfield Bridge as well.”

About 17,000 cars and truck use this section of roadway each day.

Eastbound traffic on Route 380 will be restricted to a single-lane to help facilitate the work.

The following detour will be posted:

  • Take Baum Boulevard to Liberty Avenue
  • Follow Liberty Avenue to the Bloomfield Bridge
  • Turn left onto the Bloomfield Bridge
  • Turn right onto Bigelow Boulevard

“It takes motorists some time to grasp what construction is actually happening,” said Cowen, who warns the worst congestion will come in the project's first few days. “We strongly suggest that motorists that know their way around the area take a look for an alternate route.”
The work is just one phase of a $12.24 million roadway reconstruction project of Route 380 between Morewood Avenue and Herron Avenue, which includes the Bloomfield Bridge deck. The overall project is slated to wrap up August 2016.