Versailles Avenue Bridge Ordered Closed Immediately Over Safety Concerns

MCKEESPORT, Pa. (KDKA) -- The mayor of McKeesport has ordered the closure of the Versailles Avenue Bridge due to infrastructure safety concerns.

The span is now closed to both vehicles and pedestrians after city officials pushed to have it reinspected, Mayor Michael Cherepko said.

The city put concrete barriers on either side of the bridge so no one will drive or walk across it. The mayor says this bridge has been on the city's radar for a while, and after the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in Frick Park and the freeze-thaw cycle we've been having with the temperature changes, he decided to shut it down Friday.

KDKA saw car after car turning around Friday when drivers realized the Versailles Avenue Bridge was closed. Greg Thomas was one of those drivers.

"When you look at it, it's rusted and then you have the bridge that fell down a couple weeks ago," said Thomas.

Andrea Bethea says she uses the bridge every day to pick her daughter up and get her grandkids to school.

"It's been going down for years. It's been a mess," said Bethea. "This bridge, somebody is gonna pass away. It's a shame, it shouldn't be that way."

Mayor Mike Cherepko shut the bridge down Friday morning, saying that an immediate closure is in the best interest of public safety.

"When you look at pillars and water and concrete falling down from it, I think those become major concerns," said Cherepko.

Ravine Street sits below the bridge with houses on either side. One neighbor who didn't want to go on camera says she's seen debris falling from the bridge for some time.

Cherepko says the bridge was last inspected in October. He says the next inspection was scheduled for April but he decided to push that up to earlier this week because of weather-related concerns and after getting results from engineers Thursday evening, he made the decision to close it.

"At that time, no question, with everything that happened in Pittsburgh and the thawing and icing and temperature changes, let's not wait until April," said Cherepko.

The state website shows the Versailles Avenue Bridge is rated in poor condition. Cherepko says he's been aware of the ongoing issues with it for a while. In fact, he says traffic on the bridge was reduced to one lane last fall. Drivers KDKA talked to say they're glad to see the mayor taking even more action.

"I'm applauding him," said Bethea.

"I guess you could say safety first," said Thomas.

Cherepko says the bridge will likely need to be replaced, so he anticipates it being closed for several years. He says the city will have to figure out a way to fund it.

"We will explore all options and give different options to pick from so we aren't committed to a $10 million, $8 million job. Maybe something cheaper," said Cherepko. "We've been in contact with Congressman Doyle's office, Senator Brewster's office, whatever funding we can secure. We are trying to leave no stone unturned."

Cherepko has a meeting scheduled with an engineer on Monday to get more information on what it will take to replace the bridge.

He says people can expect to see posted detour signs up soon. The formal detour will follow Coursin Street to Fifth Avenue to Evans Avenue to avoid residential areas.

Read the mayor's full letter to the community here:

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• McKeesport
• Allegheny County