releases: http://doyle.house.gov/press-release/officials-celebrate-completion-william-d-mansfield-memorial-bridge
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://doyle.house.gov/press-release/officials-celebrate-completion-william-d-mansfield-memorial-bridge | Officials Celebrate the Completion of the William D. Mansfield Memorial Bridge | 2014-10-28 | 2014 | 2014-10 | Democrat | House | PA | Mike Doyle | D000482 | doyle.house.gov | legacy | PITTSBURGH – U.S. Representative Mike Doyle, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, State Senator Jim Brewster, State Representatives Marc Gergely and Bill Kortz and County Council Member Bob Macey were joined earlier today by federal, state, county and local officials to celebrate the completion of the William D. Mansfield Memorial Bridge. After a brief ceremony, the officials participated in a formal ribbon cutting on the almost two-year project. “Public infrastructure like the Mansfield Bridge is essential for our country’s economy, and affects the lives of Americans on a daily basis,” said Congressman Doyle. “It’s government’s responsibility to provide and maintain safe, efficient and reliable infrastructure in our communities. The Mansfield Bridge is a great example of how important such infrastructure is. It’s a main thoroughfare for the Mon Valley. Working together across all levels of government, we were able to provide the funding for this much-needed reconstruction project, while also doing what it took to ensure that this project was completed as quickly as possible with as little disruption as possible. I’m very pleased to have been part of this team.” The William D. Mansfield Memorial Bridge was originally built in 1948 to carry traffic from McKeesport and Glassport to Dravosburg over the Monongahela River. Last rehabilitated in 1982, a complete rehabilitation of the 1,934 foot, 12-span truss bridge was begun on January 12, 2012. “The completion of this project has been a long time in coming, and I’m thrilled to see the end of it for all of the residents of the Mon Valley,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “When I was on County Council, I held a series of bridge summits to focus on the county-maintained spans over the Monongahela River, including the Mansfield Bridge. Those summits were the beginning of a long road which included approximately $150 million in constructions costs; I am proud to see the groundwork that we laid 14 years ago come to fruition today.” Work consisted of a new concrete deck, sidewalks with handrails, barriers, expansion joints, expansion dams, bearings, structural steel repairs and painting of the entire 1.3 million square foot structure. The approach roadways to the bridge were also reconstructed and paved, lighting was replaced and a new sidewalk handrail was installed. “The completion of this project has improved traffic as well as the quality of life in these communities. I have no doubt that the drivers who utilize the bridge were very pleased to see the cones removed and traffic flowing as it should,” said Senator Brewster. “Although it has been a long time coming, the improvements were well worth the wait. I really commend County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County, PennDOT and the contractors for a job well done.” Construction work was phased to keep the bridge open to traffic at all times. The project was completed by Joseph B. Fay, Inc. three months ahead of schedule and within budget. The project cost $33.5 million - 80% of which was funded by the Federal Highway Administration, 15% by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and 5% by Allegheny County. “The Mansfield Bridge project has been on the drawing board for years, and undertaking an infrastructure improvement on that scale is not easy,” said Rep. Gergely. “Now that the work is completed on the span, the bridge today really reflects the redevelopment that is going on in our communities, and is something that we can all be proud of in the Mon Valley.” The Mansfield Bridge opened October 9, 2014 to unrestricted traffic, with all traffic control measures being removed. The only remaining work, installation of the new handrails on the approaches to the bridge, is to be completed this week. “The project team did a great job rehabilitating the entire bridge, ramps, railings and lights. I am very happy with the results of this much needed project and kudos to the hard-working men and women that made this happen,” said Rep. Kortz. “It is crucial to mention that the structural integrity has been returned as well as the aesthetics. I believe if Senator Mansfield were here today, he would be proud to see what this team has done to the bridge bearing his name.” The design for the rehabilitation of the County-owned bridge was done by Michael Baker International with SAI Consulting/Management Engineering Corporation serving as the construction manager and inspector on the project. “The Mansfield Bridge, along with other spans over the Monongahela River, has been a county priority. The project was not without its challenges due to the sheer magnitude of work,” said Council Member Macey. “Two years ago, the bridge needed repair and had reached the end of its life. It was an eyesore, but today it is beautiful.” William D. Mansfield was the publisher of the McKeesport Daily News from 1927 until his death in 1952 at the age of 74. He also served as Chair of the Republican Party of McKeesport, was a Pennsylvania State Senator from 1923-1934 and an Allegheny County Commissioner from 1932-1935. The bridge named in his honor passes over railyards, industrial sites and Route 837 to connect Fifth Avenue in McKeesport and Richland Avenue in Draovosburg. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |