Pittsburgh, PA – Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll joined local officials and community leaders at the Neville Island Bridge in Allegheny County to celebrate the completion of critical repairs on the I-79 bridge that tens of thousands of drivers rely on every day. This project is part of Pennsylvania’s historic progress in maintaining and improving critical infrastructure across the Commonwealth, with Pennsylvania leading the nation last year in the repair of poor-condition bridges.
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in 2023, Pennsylvania – including PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and other bridge owners – repaired or replaced more than 200 bridges of at least 20 feet in length, resulting in 90 fewer bridges rated in poor-condition – the largest improvement of any state in the country.
Last year in 2023, PennDOT had its most productive year in nearly a decade, improving 500 more miles of roadway and repairing 150 more bridges than the previous year. The momentum continues into 2024, with over 4,100 miles of roads improved and work advancing on more than 360 state and local bridges. Governor Shapiro and his Administration understand the vital role infrastructure plays in the daily lives of millions of Pennsylvanians, which is why PennDOT works quickly and safely to ensure roads and bridges are ready for the people who rely on them every day.
"Every single day, Pennsylvanians count on our roads and bridges to get to work, take their kids to school, and keep our economy moving," said Governor Shapiro. "That’s why we’ve made it a priority to secure the critical funding needed to improve our infrastructure and partnered with both the public and private sectors to get the job done. From the fast-tracked reopening of I-95 in Philadelphia to the essential repairs on the Neville Island Bridge, we’re proving that when we work together, we can accomplish great things and deliver real results for the people of Pennsylvania. We're not just fixing roads – we're building a stronger future and showing that we can get stuff done for the people of Pennsylvania.”
Over 54,000 vehicles cross the Neville Island Bridge every day and the $48 million rehabilitation project involved structural steel repairs, full structure painting, bearing and deck joint replacements, concrete deck and overlay repairs, and substructure concrete work on I-79 over the Ohio River in Neville and Robinson Townships and Glenfield Borough. The project also addressed drainage improvements, guide rail replacements, and work on additional bridges. The project was 100 percent federally funded and completed by contractor Trumbull Corporation. The Neville Island Bridge project alone supported 80 good-paying jobs over three years.
“We’ve worked hard to not only meet today’s needs but to invest in the long-term safety and reliability of our infrastructure. The Neville Island Bridge is just one example of our commitment to keeping Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges in good condition,” said Secretary Carroll. “We are proud of the measurable progress in improving bridge conditions across the state. Our goal remains clear – ensuring that Pennsylvania's bridges and roads are safe, reliable, and built for the future."
“I've been in the labor union for 15 years, and I've had the privilege of working all across the state. I spent two years here on this project – it started with jackhammering the deteriorated concrete on the other side of the river and we worked our way across the bridge. It's good work, it's hard work, and it's rewarding in the end,” said Joe Slezak, Company Labor Foreman, Trumbull Corporation.
“We reduced our inventory of bridges in poor condition across the Commonwealth by 90 in just one year –that is incredible work. At a county level, we are responsible for 500 bridges, 400 plus miles of roadway, and one mighty tunnel. All that infrastructure is incredibly expensive to maintain, so we are grateful for investments from our partners at the state and federal level, said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has poured millions into Allegheny County infrastructure repair and has created good-paying, family-sustaining union jobs, and for that, we are immensely grateful.”
“Neville Island is the only single municipal island in our Commonwealth with a rich history of having a beautiful residential community and strong manufacturing and industrial sites. Thank you, Governor Shapiro, for prioritizing infrastructure development and maintenance across our Commonwealth,” said Representative Anita Astorino Kulik. “Under your leadership, a record number of roads and bridges will be repaired, replaced, or preserved, and by securing over $300 million in new infrastructure funding, reducing the Pennsylvania State Police’s reliance on the motor vehicle license fund and securing record dollars in federal transportation funds, you have done what is needed to support projects that will fit all Pennsylvanians.”
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has secured over $300 million in new infrastructure funding to maintain Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges – reducing the Pennsylvania State Police’s reliance on the Motor License Fund, delivering more funding for transportation while ensuring our law enforcement officers are sustainably funded.
“State investments, specifically in the transportation and infrastructure sectors, are vital to the future of southwestern Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh region’s strong, well-connected infrastructure network is a key component in our ability to attract business investment, bolster in-market expansion, and enhance our region’s quality of life,” said Matt Smith, Chief Growth Officer, Allegheny Conference on Community Development. “The Shapiro Administration’s focus on infrastructure investment and the actions taken to repair the Commonwealth’s roads and bridges support the preservation of our efficient transportation network and position our region to continue to compete for business attraction and retention.”
Governor Shapiro has also leveraged federal resources to maximize investments in Pennsylvania's infrastructure, including securing the largest federal transportation grant in the Commonwealth's history The $500 million grant for the I-83 South Bridge in Harrisburg, awarded through the FHWA’s competitive Bridge Investment Program, will fund the replacement of the bridge. This vital crossing in Central Pennsylvania, used by more than 125,000 vehicles daily – including 15 percent truck traffic – plays a critical role in connecting communities and supporting commerce, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods and people across the Susquehanna River.
“I am thrilled to celebrate the completion of the I-79 Neville Island Bridge Rehabilitation Project today alongside Governor Shapiro, Commonwealth leaders, and our union workers who got the job done,” said Congressman Chris Deluzio. “Folks in Western PA have long done the hard work to make the stuff that built this country, and our region should have the best infrastructure out there. I am proud that this project was 100 percent federally funded, and I will continue to bring home federal funding we need to make our roads, bridges, and infrastructure the best they can be.”
“One of government’s main responsibilities is providing a safe and reliable infrastructure network so our citizens can get around safely and efficiently,” said Senator Wayne Fontana. “I commend Governor Shapiro and Secretary Carroll at PennDOT on how they are executing the many projects around Pennsylvania that are so critical to meeting these needs.”
Beyond bridge repairs, the Shapiro Administration has continued investing in Pennsylvania’s transportation network. In August, Governor Shapiro announced a $51 million investment from the Multimodal Transportation Fund to support 66 crucial projects across 32 counties — including highway, bridge, aviation, ports, and bike and pedestrian initiatives — enhancing the safety and efficiency of Pennsylvania’s infrastructure for everyone.
Governor Shapiro’s "Get Stuff Done" attitude was on display when he brought together federal, state, and local officials, along with private sector and union partners, to reopen I-95 in just 12 days following its collapse in Northeast Philadelphia. His leadership has driven PennDOT’s rapid response to flood-damaged roads across the state, from Bucks County to Bradford County, getting roads reopened ahead of schedule.
See what Pennsylvanians are reading about Governor Shapiro’s major Infrastructure progress and how the Commonwealth is leading the nation in repairing poor-condition bridges:
Pittsburgh Union Progress: State, local officials laud reduction of bridges in poor condition
WTAE-ABC: Pennsylvania Leads the Nation in Bridge Repairs in 2023-2024
KDKA-CBS: Shapiro Administration Highlights Efforts to Repair Bridges Across the State
WPXI-NBC: Infrastructure Progress
For more information on PennDOT’s ongoing infrastructure projects, visit penndot.pa.gov. Information about the state’s infrastructure and results PennDOT is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at penndot.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at projects.penndot.gov.
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