Advertisement Delayed again: Liberty Bridge to stay closed indefinitely Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Liberty Bridge, which has been closed since Sept. 2, will remain shut down indefinitely, PennDOT announced Friday morning.PennDOT District Executive Dan Cessna would not give an estimated date for the bridge to reopen, saying he didn't want to raise expectations.Video: Watch Bob Hazen's reportCalling the repair process "slow and methodical," more so than originally anticipated, he acknowledged that it could take weeks before the bridge can safely be opened to traffic again."We would say that it could be weeks. It won't be months," Cessna said.Video: Watch the PennDOT news conferenceThis is the second time the bridge reopening has been delayed. It was originally scheduled for Sept. 12, but then officials moved that date to Sept. 19.A fire broke out during a long-term construction project and damaged structural elements of the bridge, making it unsafe to bear weight.Workers are now trying to install a jack and external brace that will be used to stretch the damaged steel as close to its original shape as possible while heating it. Once the steel chord is reshaped, reinforcing plates will be attached to it which will bear the weight originally held up by the chord."Our plan B if the heat straightening doesn't work is actually cutting out that damaged chord," Cessna said. "That is something that we're also engineering at the same time."Cessna said managers decided to add more bracing after consulting with safety experts Thursday.Cessna said crews have been working 24/7 to get the bridge prepared for reopening. In an interview Wednesday, the lead engineer was adamant that the project was on schedule.-------Here are the posted detours for the Liberty Bridge:Northbound (Inbound)Take Route 51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard) northboundTake the exit to I-376 West/US 19 South toward Carnegie/Airport/West EndTake Exit 69A toward US 19 South/Banksville RoadKeep left and loop back to I-376 eastbound toward Fort Pitt TunnelFollow eastbound I-376 through Fort Pitt Tunnel and across the Fort Pitt BridgeFor access to I-279 destinations follow I-279 signage, all other destinations take exit toward I-376 East/MonroevilleTake the left exit 71A to Grant StreetTurn left onto Grant StreetEnd detourSouthbound (Outbound) From Downtown PittsburghTake Grant Street to I-376Take the ramp to West I-376 toward Fort Pitt Bridge/AirportFollow I-376 westbound across the Fort Pitt Bridge and through the Fort Pitt TunnelTake Exit 69A toward South 19 Banksville RoadKeep left and loop back to eastbound I-376Take Exit 69B toward South Truck US 19/Route 51 UniontownMerge onto southbound Route 51 and follow back to the Liberty TunnelEnd detourSouthbound (Outbound) From Westbound Route 885 (Boulevard of the Allies)From the Boulevard of the Allies take the ramp to North I-579 to I-279 Veterans Bridge ExitTake the Convention Center/7th Avenue ExitTurn right onto Grant StreetTurn left onto 11th StreetContinue straight onto the 10th Street BypassTake the I-376 West Fort Pitt Bridge/Airport ExitFollow I-376 westbound across the Fort Pitt Bridge and through the Fort Pitt TunnelTake Exit 69A toward South 19 Banksville RoadKeep left and loop back to eastbound I-376Take Exit 69B toward South Truck US 19/Route 51 UniontownMerge onto southbound Route 51 and follow back to the Liberty TunnelEnd detourSouthbound (Outbound) From Route 380 (Bigelow Boulevard)From PA 380, take the Consol Center/6th Avenue ExitTake the 6th Avenue ExitTurn right onto Grant StreetTurn left onto 11th StreetContinue straight onto the 10th Street BypassTake the I-376 West Fort Pitt Bridge/Airport ExitFollow I-376 westbound across the Fort Pitt Bridge and through the Fort Pitt TunnelTake Exit 69A toward South 19 Banksville RoadKeep left and loop back to eastbound I-376Take Exit 69B toward South Truck US 19/Route 51 UniontownMerge onto southbound Route 51 and follow back to the Liberty TunnelEnd detourSouthbound (Outbound) From I-279 Parkway NorthFrom southbound I-279, take the I-279 South Fort Pitt Bridge ExitTake the South I-279/To I-376 Fort Pitt Bridge/Airport ExitTake the West I-376 Fort Pitt Bridge ExitFollow I-376 westbound across the Fort Pitt Bridge and through the Fort Pitt TunnelTake Exit 69A toward South 19 Banksville RoadKeep left and loop back to eastbound I-376Take Exit 69B toward South Truck US 19/Route 51 UniontownMerge onto southbound Route 51 and follow back to the Liberty TunnelEnd detour