By Sean P. Ray | Managing Editor

BRIGHTON HEIGHTS — Roughly 15 years after its previous iteration was dismantled, ground was broken on the new Davis Avenue Bridge on April 11, once more connecting Brighton Heights with Riverview Park.

The bridge, unlike its predecessor, is a pedestrian and bicyclist bridge, and is scheduled for completion sometime in fall of 2024. According to the Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI), which is overseeing the project, the bridge will cut down the walking time from Brighton Heights to the park from 35 minutes to only five.

“This is a huge deal for Brighton Heights residents,” Mayor Ed Gainey said at the groundbreaking. “As a city we promised that we would rebuild the Davis Avenue Bridge. Today, we’re keeping that promise.”

A total of $6.2 million has been allocated toward this project. DOMI is working with Gregori Construction Inc. and Michael Baker International for the construction, with HNTB Corporation also contributing designs.

The new bridge will utilize the abutments of the original bridge, though featuring two newly constructed piers. The bridge’s trusses will be built in another location and delivered later this summer to be put in place.

In addition to the bridge, $54,444 has been allocated for a public art installation to be included in the construction.

The original Davis Avenue Bridge was demolished in 2009. According to the city’s Engage page for the project, the original bridge “lacked modern insights into necessary safety and maintenance features and had limited capacity for heavily-loaded vehicles.”