McKees Rocks Bridge slated for one-day closure Thursday

The McKees Rocks Bridge will be closed to all traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 – weather permitting – to allow construction crews to perform overhead sign installation work along the bridge.

PennDOT District 11 said Tuesday that traffic will be detoured via the West End Bridge. However, emergency vehicles and PRT buses traveling between Route 51 and the Helen Street ramps will be accommodated as needed as work occurs.

The detour is as follows:

Route 51 to Route 65

From the intersection of Route 51 (Island Avenue) and the McKees Rocks Bridge, continue southbound on Route 51
Turn left on Chartiers Avenue/Linden Street
Turn left on Stanhope Street
Turn right onto Route 51 (West Carson Street)
Continue left, following signs for southbound Route 19/Route 51/westbound I-376
Bear right onto Steuben Street
Follow signs for southbound Route 19/Route 51/westbound I-376
Bear left onto South Main Street
Continue in the middle lane and follow signs for northbound West End Bridge/North Shore/I-279/Route 19
Bear left to the West End Circle, then quickly bear right onto the West End Bridge
Cross the West End Bridge
Turn left onto northbound Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard)/Chateau Street
Bear left to stay on northbound Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard)
End Detour

Route 65 to Route 51

From the intersection of Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) and the McKees Rocks Bridge, continue southbound on Route 65
Take the ramp to Route 19/Route 51/West End Bridge
Cross the West End Bridge
Turn right onto northbound Route 51 (West Carson Street)
Turn left on Stanhope Street
Turn right on Linden Street
Turn right on Route 51 (Island Avenue)
End Detour

Motorists accessing the bridge from the Helen Street ramps should utilize Robb Street, River Road and Route 51, then follow the above detours.

The $38.6 million McKees Rocks Bridge preservation project extends between Route 51 (Island Avenue) and Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) and includes sidewalk replacement, sidewalk support steel repairs, sidewalk railing painting, full-depth concrete pavement reconstruction of the road and two ramps at Helen Street, ADA curb ramp installation, approach pavement work at intersections of Routes 65 and 51, barrier replacement and upgrade, deck overhang and spall repair, railroad fencing installation, and other miscellaneous construction. As work occurs, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction. The overall project is anticipated to conclude in the fall of 2025.

The Brayman Construction Corp. and Advantage Steel and Construction LLC are the prime contractor.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.