Pennsylvania Department of Transportation—Landmark Shaler Street Bridge Replacement Using SPMTs

In a first for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Self-Propelled Modular Transporters, known commonly as SPMTs, were used in the replacement of the Shaler Street Bridge in Pittsburgh. SPMTs do the work of removing and replacing old bridge panels, helping speed up the construction process. This $14.55 million project was opened to the public in 2019. The innovative approach using SPMTs allowed for this critical link – which carries over 27,000 vehicles a day – to be replaced quickly with minimum impact to traffic. The bridge closure lasted three days in total, coordinating with partners from Heinz Field to minimize disruptions on game days. The end result provided the community with a safer bridge and brought a new innovative solution to the department.