Pittsburgh offers $500,000 to resolve bridge collapse lawsuits

The city of Pittsburgh is looking to settle lawsuits related to a bridge collapse that occurred over two and a half years ago by seeking approval for a $500,000 payment. The incident took place on January 28, 2022, when the city-owned Forbes Avenue bridge collapsed into Fern Hollow Creek, causing a bus and four cars to fall about 100 feet into the ravine. Fortunately, there were injuries but no fatalities.

Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak has requested the Pittsburgh City Council to authorize the $500,000 payment, which is the full liability damage cap. The settlement aims to resolve lawsuits filed on behalf of those affected by the bridge collapse. The agreement is subject to approval from both the council and a judge overseeing the case.

Although the settlement came as a surprise to some, attorneys representing the plaintiffs acknowledged the city’s willingness to take responsibility for the bridge collapse and to pay the statutory limits to partly address the case. Legal proceedings against three engineering firms will continue separately.

According to federal investigators, the collapse was attributed to the city’s failure to adequately maintain or repair the bridge and neglecting inspection reports, leading to corrosion in the structure’s steel legs. City officials did not contest the findings and highlighted the establishment of a new bridge maintenance division, along with a threefold increase in funding for maintenance and repairs.

A new bridge at the site, located 5 miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, was opened in December 2022, replacing the one that had collapsed over two years prior.