PITTSBURGH – The Department of Public Works has published its 2023 Annual Report that highlights its many accomplishments. Last year, thanks to a $57 million capital investment and a $29 million operating budget, the department’s contractors and in-house crews completed 51 major construction projects that improved county-owned roads, bridges, and retaining walls. The report is
available to view and download online.
“Maintaining and upgrading the county’s transportation infrastructure that residents rely upon is a responsibility we take very seriously, and we could not be prouder of the immense amount of work that was completed last year,” said Stephen Shanley, P.E., Public Works Director. “We are extremely thankful for the incredible support we received from our partners at the federal and state level as well as for the public’s patience and understanding while we completed our projects as quickly as possible. While much was achieved last year, we know there is always more work to do and ways for us to improve, and we look forward to continuing our progress this year.”
Ensuring the safety of county bridges is one of Public Works’ top priorities. That emphasis was reflected last year in the inspection of 248 bridges and the completion of 13 major bridge projects, including four that were rated as being in poor condition. Over the past decade, the county has reduced its number of poor-rated bridges that are 8 feet or longer by 71.6%.
One notable bridge project that was completed last year was the Roberto Clemente (Sixth Street) Bridge rehabilitation. The $35.6 million project will significantly extend the life of the historic and iconic structure. Work included structural steel and concrete/masonry repairs; replacement of expansion dams, decks, sidewalks, stairs, utility lines, street and navigational lights, pavement markings, signage, and delineators; refurbishment and cleaning of the pylons and piers; repainting of the structure and handrails; and placement of rock scour protection.
The project also included installation of a new enhanced lighting system on the Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol (Seventh Street), and Rachel Carson (Ninth Street) Bridges - known locally as the Sister Bridges. The system includes 2,628 feet of linear fixtures on the suspenders; 192 rounded fixtures on the suspension chain pins; 132 spot and wash lighting fixtures that accent the towers, hangers, and piers; as well as 12 replica fixtures atop the pylons.
Another highlight from last year was the start of construction on the Armstrong Tunnel in Pittsburgh. The $13.1 rehabilitation project includes concrete repairs; removal of the ceramic tile liner and replacement with fireproof wall panels; masonry cleaning at the tunnel entrances and exits; lighting, electrical, and fire detection and suppression system upgrades; installation of a CCTV monitoring system; and placement of new pavement, curb, sidewalk, signage, and pavement markings. It is expected to end next year.
Overall, Public Works provided exceptional service in 2023, including:
- Paving 42.4 miles of roadway – the eighth consecutive year of paving at least 40 miles annually;
- Completing seven major landslide and retaining wall projects;
- Working closely with the Parks Department to complete nine projects within county-owned parks, including replacement of the sanitary sewer system and a deteriorated retaining wall at the South Park Fairgrounds site;
- Using 8,399 tons of salt, 2,140 gallons of calcium chloride, and 26,066 man-hours to remove snow and ice from 357 miles of roadway throughout the winter season;
- Providing 121,952 man-hours of in-house infrastructure maintenance, including roadway repairs and preventative maintenance, guide rail maintenance, storm cleanup, drainage work, vegetation control, slope stabilization, street sweeping, litter pickup, roadway sign installation, pavement marking painting, ironworking, and more;
- Completing 1,176 service requests from the public;
- Inspecting 2,371 inlets and outfalls;
- Replacing 2,750 feet of guide rail;
- Line-striping 207 miles of roadway; and
- Replacing 407 roadway signs
Public Works also took steps last year to further improve its operations:
- It purchased six new tractors with rotary mowers called brush hogs. The need to control vegetation along county roadways is significant because overgrown weeds, brush, and branches cover up signs and create visibility issues for drivers, especially around curves. Public Works’ previous vegetation control efforts included the use of three old, inherited tractors with brush hogs not suited for cutting along roadways. The department is now using seven tractors with brush hogs, and the new models are smaller, smoother, easier to operate, and much better at cutting back roadside vegetation.
- It obtained six new trucks with snow equipment. They filled a critical need, as they replaced trucks that were old and prone to breaking down during winter storm events. The new vehicles are greatly enhancing the county’s snow and ice removal operations.
- Working with the county’s Geographic Information System (GIS) team, Public Works made its Adopt-a-Roadway program much easier and more efficient for the public and staff coordinators. Instead of filling out PDF forms and sending them to Public Works via email, mail, or fax, the public can now fill out and sign them online. For example, users can find which roads are still available, click on a road they want to adopt, and have that road’s information pre-filled on an online application. The new forms make all Adopt-a-Roadway processes faster, and provide coordinators with a central, easily accessible location for all program data.
Public Works is responsible for maintaining 408 miles of roadway and 518 bridges, and it also purchases and maintains the county’s fleet of more than 800 vehicles and heavy equipment, including 15 hybrid, 15 electric, and six natural gas vehicles. By continually exceeding industry standards of performance, the department has been accredited four times by the American Public Works Association (APWA) since 2007. It is the first and only agency in Pennsylvania to have received that prestigious honor.
To learn more about the services provided by the department or for help with an issue on a county owned road or bridge, please visit
Allegheny County Public Works.