Following a near two-year renovation, the Roberto Clemente Bridge reopened to the public Sunday night, part of the First Night 2024 event in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Officials held the ribbon cutting ceremony, led by outgoing Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
The work on the bridge is part of revitalization efforts for the three sister bridges along the Allegheny River. That includes the Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson Bridges.
“It’s quite fitting that this is the last event for my administration. I'm proud of the fact that we’ve made work on our bridges and infrastructure a priority over the last 12 years and this project exemplifies that work,” said Fitzgerald. “Our investments in the Sister Bridges over the last number of years will ensure that they remain a symbol of this region for generations to come. As we begin the new year, it’s fitting that all of the bridges will be open, including the Roberto Clemente Bridge, one of the most identifiable and critical bridges in this county.”
The Clemente Bridge reopened 51 years to the day that the Pirates “Great One” died in a plane crash while delivering supplies to victims of a powerful earthquake in Nicaragua.
$85.6 million was invested into the three bridges. Around 6,000 to 10,000 vehicles use the bridges every day.