City of Pittsburgh Celebrates Grand Reopening of Davis Avenue Bridge, Reconnecting Brighton Heights to Riverview Park

Standing at the edge of Riverview Park, Mayor Gainey highlighted the deeper significance of the project. 

“This project is about more than a new bridge,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “It’s about reconnecting communities with the parks, trails, and resources that help them thrive. We’re investing in every neighborhood — making sure no community feels left behind.” 

The reopening of the Davis Avenue Bridge marks a major milestone in restoring access to one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved green spaces. The original bridge, constructed in 1898, served the community for over a century before being closed and eventually demolished in 2009 due to structural concerns. 

The new bridge — designed exclusively for pedestrian and bicycle use — spans approximately 80 feet over Woods Run Avenue and is built with modern materials and safety features. At the same time, the design honors the legacy and aesthetic of the historic bridge while preserving the natural beauty of the surrounding park landscape. 

“The Department of Mobility and Infrastructure is proud to deliver on our promise to the community by reconnecting Northsiders to the 250 acres of natural beauty in Riverview Park,” said Acting Chief Engineer Zack Workman. “As construction concludes, our work is far from over — we must honor this investment with long-term care and stewardship, ensuring that future generations of Pittsburghers can safely access and enjoy one of our city’s greatest public assets.” 

A symbolic first crossing by community members capped off the celebration, with cheers echoing as residents made their way across the new span into Brighton Heights.  

The Davis Avenue Bridge project was made possible through a collaborative effort and funding from multiple sources, including: 

• City of Pittsburgh municipal bonds 

• American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds 

• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) grant 

• Allegheny County Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF) 

Project Partners: 

• Construction: Gregori Construction Inc. (Prime Contractor) 

• Design & Engineering: HNTB (Prime Consultant), Tri-State Design & Development, Santangelo & Lindsay, Collective Efforts, UpStudio Landscapes, Ackenheil Engineers, M.C. Fuhrman & Associates 

• Contract Administration & Inspection: Michael Baker International 

This bridge is a testament to Pittsburgh’s commitment to walkable, bikeable communities and equitable infrastructure investment. The City thanks the residents of Brighton Heights and the Northside for their patience, vision, and advocacy in bringing this project to life. 

To learn more about the City of Pittsburgh’s bridge assets, visit the interactive City Bridge Dashboard.