5 Key Things to Know about the Implosion of the Hulton Bridge

Unlike last month's demolition of the Greenfield Bridge, the Hulton Bridge implosion will end with a splash.

photo via flickr creative commons

For iconic bridges in the Pittsburgh area, 2016 is starting where 2015 left off — with a bang.

Weather permitting, as is everything PennDOT plans, the 107-year-old Hulton Bridge on Tuesday morning will be reduced to a large pile of shredded steel girders. The implosion of the Greenfield Bridge last month drew large crowds in Schenley Park, but the demise of the Hulton Bridge won't be as viewer-friendly. Here's what you need to know:
 

Map courtesy of penndot

1. Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, a 1,000-foot safety zone will go into effect. (see map above).  PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan says everyone who lives within the safety zone is “strongly encouraged” to leave the area before the blast.
    
2. The safety zone will require the closure of Third Street in Oakmont beginning at 7 a.m. Hulton Road and the new Hulton Bridge will close between Third Street and Freeport Road in Harmar Township at 9:30 a.m.
    
3. Commuters beware: Route 28 in both directions will close at 9:45 a.m. A single-lane closure will occur on northbound Route 28 between RIDC Drive (Exit 10) and Harmar/Route 910 (Exit 11) interchanges beginning at 9 a.m.
    
4. The bridge is set to fall into the Allegheny River at 10 a.m. There is no designated place for the public to watch the demolition. A staging area will be set up outside the safety zone for contractors and media.
    
5. Once the bridge is down, the new Hulton Bridge will be inspected for damage before it reopens to traffic. Using barges and cranes, the contractor will remove the steel remains of the bridge from the river. Workers are under a 72-hour deadline to reopen a 300-foot-wide channel for river traffic.