SR28 Widening

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Owner: PennDOT, District 11
General Contractor: Brayman Construction Corp.
Value: $21.9 Million
Date Complete: May 2012

This Economic Recovery project consists of the widening of State Route 28, between the 31st Street Bridge and the HJ Heinz Plant, near downtown Pittsburgh. Work includes drainage, signals, utility and railroad track relocation, pier reconstruction, wall and bridge construction and other miscellaneous tasks. Before any major construction could start, Brayman demolished numerous buildings on the hillside lining the inbound side of the highway.

The foundation portion of work included drilling and pressure grouting of 86 each, 9 5/8in micropiles, most of which were battered 14°, and the performance of four (4) compressive load tests. This project is an excellent demonstration of utilizing micropiles for low headroom and limited access situations. All work was done under the existing 31st Street Bridge, around existing bents supporting the River Avenue Viaduct and with continuous traffic above.

In addition to the roadway and railroad relocation, Brayman relocated a portion of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail by constructing a half mile long pedestrian walkway which now connects over 21 miles of trail along all three rivers in Pittsburgh.