How to avoid the Forbes Ave bridge collapse on your bike

From Squirrel Hill take a left onto Beechwood Blvd and then right onto Wilkins, left on S Dallas, right onto the Reynolds St. Neighborway and follow until it ends. Then, take a right onto Dunfermline st to the car-free Hawthorne trail (past The Frick Bowling Greens) which connects to Kensington St. Take Kensington St to S. Braddock Ave.

The state of Pittsburgh’s bridges attracts national scrutiny on the same day as President Biden’s visit

Early this morning the Forbes Ave Bridge suddenly and shockingly collapsed into Frick Park. Although a Port Authority bus and five vehicles were on the bridge at the time of the collapse, and several mountain bikers were nearby, miraculously no deaths or serious injuries have been reported. We do not yet know the exact cause of this massive bridge failure, but it highlights the dire state of Pittsburgh’s aging bridges. The fact that president Biden visited today to speak on infrastructure placed a national spotlight on this local catastrophe.

Mountain bikers were riding trails nearby when the bridge collapsed. Photo: Jen Damon

This bridge was a very important connection for people walking and biking in addition to transit users and drivers. Underneath the bridge is Tranquil Trail, a very popular walking, biking, and cross country skiing trail.  Access to Regent Square and the trails of Frick Park are deeply impacted by what is sure to be a protracted reconstruction process in the coming months to years. 

Collapsed bridge deck now bisects Tranquil Trail in Frick Park. Photo: Brendon Slotterback

How to avoid the Forbes Ave bridge collapse

As Forbes Ave carriee bike lanes between Squirrel Hill and Regent Square, this affects many people’s bike commute. In the meantime, we advise cyclists to take care moving through the area, being on the lookout for additional car traffic as well as additional road closures. Lastly, be mindful of trail or park closures moving forward as emergency responders address this ongoing situation.

We advise the following 24-hr eastbound detour to bypass the closed section of Forbes Ave:

  • A) Left onto Beechwood Blvd (bike lane)
  • B) Right onto Wilkins Ave (bike lane)
  • C) Left onto S Dallas Ave (bike lane)
  • D) Right onto Reynolds St – follow until it ends (Neighborway)
  • E) Right onto Hawthorne Trail (Trail)
  • F) Continue onto Kensington St (Residential street)
  • G) Right onto Braddock Ave (bike lane)

See the map above. 

Coming from Braddock Ave, we recommend the same route, but in reverse.

Please note that people riding bikes are allowed to ride in Homewood Cemetery, which one can connect between the south portion of S. Dallas Ave and Reynolds St/Homewood Ave, but please be respectful of their open hours.

Additionally, there are many trails that connect through Frick Park itself, but you’ll need a bike with wider tires, especially on the steeper grades.

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