Implosion of Dooker’s Hollow Bridge between North Braddock, East Pittsburgh set for Friday
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The implosion of the Dooker’s Hollow Bridge between North Braddock and East Pittsburgh has been delayed from Thursday to Friday, according to the Allegheny County Department of Public Works.
The 80-year-old bridge carries Bell Avenue in North Braddock and Center Street in East Pittsburgh over O’Connell Boulevard. Crews are removing the existing bridge, which closed in October, and building a new one.
The implosion, first planned for Thursday morning, is now scheduled for about 10 a.m. Friday.
“The delay provides contractor Allison Park Contractors, Inc. and subcontractor Demtech LLC with the additional time needed to finish placing the explosives,” public works spokesman Brent Wasko said.
The implosion is part of an ongoing $9.95 million bridge replacement project that started in October 2020.
According to the county, no one will be allowed to be within 1,000 feet of the bridge before and during the implosion. Warning signals that can be heard within a half mile of the bridge will go out at five minutes, one minute and 10 seconds before the implosion.
The following sections of road will be closed from about 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the day of the implosion:
• Bell Avenue, from the 1500 block to the bridge.
• Center Street, from Draper Street to the bridge.
• All of O’Connell Boulevard.
• Ravine Street, from O’Connell Boulevard to Lewis Street.
• Poplar Avenue, from Draper Street to the end of the road.
• Bessemer Avenue, from Draper Street to the end of the road.
An all-clear signal will be given after the implosion and following an inspection of the area.