PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will conduct field evaluations of five bridges, including one in nearby Squirrel Hill, with structures similar to the Fern Hollow Bridge that collapsed in Point Breeze Friday.
"We are evaluating the condition of each of the bridges which have a similar structure," PennDOT spokeswoman Alexis Campbell said in an email. "Based on initial evaluation, all of the other bridges are in fair or better condition and are currently able to carry legal loads (i.e. do not require posting for weight restrictions). PennDOT will be conducting field validations of these structures as well.
The bridges have what is called a "K-frame" construction, a design where weight is placed on single supports that have no secondary backup. The superstructure and deck of the Fern Hollow Bridge were rated in poor condition with scores of 4 out of 9 and the substructure was rated a 6.
