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Started by rickmastfan67, November 30, 2011, 10:27:15 PM

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Rothman

#700
October 08, 2025, 07:17:23 PM  
Quote from: roadman65 on October 08, 2025, 12:27:07 PMWhat is the grade of Rialto Street in Pittsburgh?   I thought it the steepest in PA, but the Guiness Book says Canton Avenue holds the US title at 37%.  So that means Rialto must be less despite its steep angle.

https://newtownpentacle.com/2025/06/02/rialto-st-pittsburghs-5th-steepest/
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position(s) of NYSDOT.

CanesFan27

#701
October 19, 2025, 03:39:13 PM  
I was listening to the Pittsburgh Steelers playing the Seattle Seahawks during my drive that September afternoon.  And I thought to myself, what was more pointless - the Red Belt or the Steelers defense that Sunday?

Feature on the 4th of Allegheny County (PA)'s five belt routes - The Red Belt.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2025/10/allegheny-countys-red-belt-not-much-to.html

74/171FAN

#702
October 30, 2025, 02:04:42 PM  
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74/171FAN

#703
November 21, 2025, 08:54:15 AM  
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

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Bitmapped

#704
December 01, 2025, 08:55:33 PM  
Quote from: Bitmapped on July 04, 2025, 12:47:11 PM
Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on July 03, 2025, 10:31:13 PMThe Jacks Run Road bridge over 279 has been closed due to severe deterioration to a solo support pier on the north side of the bridge.  From images, I am shocked at how bad it is on a 38-40 year old freeway bridge.

The bridge is on about a 12% grade. I imagine they salt the hell out of it. If you look at the bridge deck, you'll notice the bottom of the parapet walls is breaking apart due to corroded rebar.

Allegheny County DPW has announced plans to demolish the Jacks Run Road bridge in Spring 2026 and begin replacement in 2027. See https://archive.ph/RXZT2 for details.

This bridge is only about 700 feet from another bridge for Bellevue Road. I have to wonder if it would make more sense just to build a connector roadway and not replace the bridge.

74/171FAN

#705
December 23, 2025, 10:35:32 AM  
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ARMOURERERIC

#706
December 23, 2025, 01:17:52 PM  
Quote from: Bitmapped on December 01, 2025, 08:55:33 PM
Quote from: Bitmapped on July 04, 2025, 12:47:11 PM
Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on July 03, 2025, 10:31:13 PMThe Jacks Run Road bridge over 279 has been closed due to severe deterioration to a solo support pier on the north side of the bridge.  From images, I am shocked at how bad it is on a 38-40 year old freeway bridge.

The bridge is on about a 12% grade. I imagine they salt the hell out of it. If you look at the bridge deck, you'll notice the bottom of the parapet walls is breaking apart due to corroded rebar.

Allegheny County DPW has announced plans to demolish the Jacks Run Road bridge in Spring 2026 and begin replacement in 2027. See https://archive.ph/RXZT2 for details.

This bridge is only about 700 feet from another bridge for Bellevue Road. I have to wonder if it would make more sense just to build a connector roadway and not replace the bridge.

When I was an Ute living in the area in the 1970's in the path of 279, that had indeed been the standing plan, it was only changed in the final iteration at the request of nearby residents.

Fun fact...if you can find it anywhere, check out the early/mid 1970's high powered interchange plan for Perrysville Ave, hint, it took up all of the park and ride footprint.

CanesFan27

#707
December 23, 2025, 04:53:22 PM  
Quote from: ARMOURERERIC on December 23, 2025, 01:17:52 PMWhen I was an Ute living in the area in the 1970's in the path of 279, that had indeed been the standing plan, it was only changed in the final iteration at the request of nearby residents.

Fun fact...if you can find it anywhere, check out the early/mid 1970's high powered interchange plan for Perrysville Ave, hint, it took up all of the park and ride footprint.

Google Books has the Final EIS and EIS for 279 - but the scan is cut off.  I'm trying to see if I can get that on an interlibrary loan.

The Perrysville Road redesign was a result of a $150 million cost reduction for the completion of 579 and 279.  Also, the McKnight Road interchange was redesigned, and the Mt. Nebo Road interchange was removed.  And of course, elimination of full connections to Bigelow Blvd and an interchange with Ft. Duquesne Blvd.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2025/03/paper-interchanges-ft-duquesne.html

CanesFan27

#708
December 28, 2025, 02:25:41 PM  
I've been able to restore some old memory cards and upload photos I had forgotten I had taken.  This set is of old alignments of PA 51 from Rostraver to Uniontown.  All photos are from December 2007.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/adamontheroad/albums/72177720331178749/

74/171FAN

#709
January 06, 2026, 03:43:41 PM  
(For US 22) PennDOT - District 11 News: I-376 Parkway East Overnight Restrictions Wednesday, Thursday

QuoteWhen the work is completed, I-376 will be shifted back into the original configuration at the newly replaced structures over Old William Penn Highway.
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74/171FAN

#710
January 07, 2026, 08:37:02 AM   Last Edit: January 07, 2026, 08:59:23 AM by 74/171FAN
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74/171FAN

#711
February 19, 2026, 06:09:06 PM  
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rickmastfan67

#712
February 21, 2026, 01:07:07 AM  
Panther Hollow Bridge (Pittsburgh) update:

74/171FAN

#713
March 10, 2026, 01:18:56 PM  
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74/171FAN

#714
April 07, 2026, 05:06:42 PM  
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74/171FAN

#716
April 20, 2026, 05:29:37 PM  
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74/171FAN

#717
April 22, 2026, 04:25:40 PM  
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74/171FAN

#718
April 29, 2026, 05:27:54 PM  
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rickmastfan67

#719
May 21, 2026, 10:42:40 PM  
A little interesting update, but there's been a small change to I-579.

For the first time ever, MM's have been posted along the route very recently (not shown in the latest GSV).  MM's start @ 0 @ the ramps to the Liberty Bridge going up to I think it was 1.4 just before the merge onto NB I-279.  These were the 'standard' MMs & not the enhanced ones with shields.

Sorry, no pictures at this time, as I wasn't even remotely expecting this change.

My guess as to why they were finally installed, was because of the NFL Draft.

74/171FAN

#720
May 22, 2026, 08:56:16 AM   Last Edit: May 22, 2026, 11:54:38 AM by 74/171FAN
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

Travel Mapping: https://travelmapping.net/user/?units=miles&u=markkos1992
Mob-Rule:  https://mob-rule.com/user/markkos1992

ixnay

#721
May 22, 2026, 07:31:38 PM  
Quote from: rickmastfan67 on May 21, 2026, 10:42:40 PMA little interesting update, but there's been a small change to I-579.

For the first time ever, MM's have been posted along the route very recently (not shown in the latest GSV).  MM's start @ 0 @ the ramps to the Liberty Bridge going up to I think it was 1.4 just before the merge onto NB I-279.  These were the 'standard' MMs & not the enhanced ones with shields.

Sorry, no pictures at this time, as I wasn't even remotely expecting this change.

My guess as to why they were finally installed, was because of the NFL Draft.

Yep, the Burgh was pulling out all stops to put on its game face.  :biggrin:

CanesFan27

#722
May 23, 2026, 08:38:13 PM  
By far, the Blue Belt was the most enjoyable of the five routes.  It, like the Yellow Belt, had a little bit of everything.  However, there's more variety along the Blue Belt within the city neighborhoods and small communities.  Being closer to the city has a lot to do with it.

As always, the same issues of confusing and missing signage plagued the route.  Arrows sometimes were missing, or signs for upcoming turns were nowhere to be found.  The missing signage really shows how much of an afterthought the Belt System really is.

The Blue Belt is a great alternative for those in various parts of Allegheny County to get to the Pittsburgh Zoo.  The drive through the North Hills, through Brighton Heights, down to the Ohio River was very surprising.  It took me through parts of the city I had never been through.  So was the route through Ingram and Crafton.  That is what I enjoyed the most about the Blue Belt - the variety and being able to see Pittsburgh neighborhoods throughout. 

While I am skeptical of the modern need for the Allegheny County Belt System, it did accomplish a few things for me.  One, it got me out to explore.  Two, I saw many parts of the Pittsburgh area I had not seen in a long time or wasn't familiar with - if I had even been to that part of the city at all.  Maybe, in the end, that's the charm of the Belt Routes.  You find yourself curious about it - what is it - where does it go?  And if the urge is enough, you go and explore it and see a few new places and things.

https://www.gribblenation.org/2026/05/a-little-bit-of-everything-allegheny.html

Flickr Album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adamontheroad/albums/72177720333229309/with/55220734629

74/171FAN

#723
May 29, 2026, 11:58:44 AM  
I am now a PennDOT employee.  My opinions/views do not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of PennDOT.

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