Doyle Joins Local Officials in Opening Carrie Furnace Flyover Ramp

Dec 21, 2015 Issues: Job Creation and Economic Growth, Local Issues
Pittsburgh, PA – U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (D-PA-14) joined state, county, and local officials today in celebrating the completion of the $14.5 million Carrie Furnace flyover ramp with a formal ribbon cutting. 
 
The flyover ramp connects the Rankin Bridge to the 168 acre Carrie Furnace site along the Monongahela River. The new ramp passes over three railway tracks and incorporates significant railroad crossing safety improvements. The completion of the flyover bridge marks a significant milestone in the site preparation and reclamation of the former steel yard. 
 
“Up until now, access to this site has been limited by the railroad tracks, and that has hurt our efforts to redevelop it,” Congressman Doyle said today. “It was clear that providing better access to the site was essential in order to get it back into productive use. I contacted the Secretary of Transportation and expressed my strong support for the county’s application for funding to building this flyover ramp, and I was very pleased when the county was awarded a $10 million grant in 2011. Now, with its completion, this site is ready for new economic activity.” 
 
Congressman Doyle speaks at ceremony marking the opening of the Carrie Furnace flyover ramp.
“This ramp represents a significant step in the reclamation and redevelopment of this property because it offers direct access to over 100 acres of flat, riverfront land,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “The investments made by Congressman Doyle, Senator Costa, Rep. Costa and the Redevelopment Authority were absolutely integral to the clean-up of this brownfield, and can be a boon to the surrounding communities as it begins to develop.” 
 
The construction of the flyover bridge was made possible with a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant of $10 million that was championed by Congressman Mike Doyle. Additional funding was provided through Housing & Urban Development Community Development funds ($1.5 million) and the PA Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program ($3 million). 
 
Allegheny County purchased the Carrie Furnace site in 2005 for $5.75 million. In 2006, Carrie Furnaces Nos. 6 and 7 were designated as a National Historic Landmark. In the last decade, the county has completed environmental assessments of the property, finished design and engineering work needed to bring the site above the 100 year flood plain, and extended sanitary and storm water systems. Importation and grading of fill material has continued. Today’s site has over 45 acres of pad ready for development, and 1,880 foot of the Carrie Furnace Boulevard constructed with an investment of nearly $32 million in improvements. 
 
“The completion of this project marks a pivotal point for Pittsburgh and shows what progress we can make when we invest in our infrastructure and our communities,” said Senator Jay Costa. “This bridge does more than just connect portions of our city – it is tangible evidence of how we can change lives through job creation and economic development when we work together to move Pa forward. I’m pleased to support the efforts of everyone involved and offer my sincere thanks for a job well done.”
 
Activity on the Carrie Furnace site will continue as fill is imported for an additional 23 acres of pad ready development, extending the developable acreage up to the historic furnaces. There will also be continued construction of Carrie Furnace Boulevard to the far west end of the site and continued importation of fill and grading on the western side of the furnaces. Additionally, plans call for the remediation and eventual connection of the hot metal bridge to the site with bike and pedestrian trails continuing from the Waterfront. 
 
“I commend Congressman Doyle and former Governor Ed Rendell for securing the funding for this long-awaited opportunity to redevelop what was once the signature landmark of Steel Valley,” said Rep. Paul Costa. “The opening of this flyover bridge moves this development forward and provides a great opportunity for Rankin and Swissvale to take advantage of this chance to grow and thrive along with the other communities along the Monongahela River.” 
 
The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, which has managed the project, anticipates that a request for development proposals will be released now that the flyover construction is nearing completion. Overall, the site can absorb 1,000 jobs over the first 10 years within this proposed LEED-certified flex-office/light industrial park. 
 
 
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