2021 inspection of Fern Hollow Bridge showed severe decay before collapse

Fern Hollow Bridge
Photo credit Patrick O'Connor

A 2021 inspection report shows the Fern Follow Bridge was severely decaying before it collapsed on January 28, injuring nine people.

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The findings - provided this week to the Post-Gazette by PennDOT in response to a Right to Know request - detail a long list of severe conditions, including deteriorating steel beams.

Despite those significant structural concerns, no alarms were raised by inspectors for any immediate repairs.

The release of the report provides the first glimpse into what the city of Pittsburgh and PennDOT knew about the bridge's condition, less than four months before it fell.

In March, PennDOT released the new renderings of what the Fern Hollow Bridge will look like.

HDR and Swank Construction are going to design and construct the new bridge through a Design Build partnership.

Due to the emergency declaration put in place, Pittsburgh officials were able to transfer the project to PennDOT for both the design and construction.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Patrick O'Connor