City Cast Pittsburgh's Megan Harris contributed to this article.
Cyclists and pedestrians have a new way to access a 251-acre urban escape on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
Davis Avenue Bridge hovers high over Woods Run Avenue and dense thickets of trees, reconnecting Brighton Heights to Riverview Park.
The rust-colored overpass, made of uncoated weathering steel, is the long-awaited replacement to a vehicle bridge built in 1898 and demolished in 2009. Now, a walk that would’ve taken 35 minutes is less than five.
“The new bridge closely resembles the deck arch-style of the original,” said Jacob Williams, press officer for the city’s Department of Public Works. But unlike its predecessor's light blue truss, the new earthy shade mimics the natural environment of the park.
Resident and neighborhood realtor Jessica Baker moved to Brighton Heights in 2010, so she just missed the old bridge — and says she's excited to take her kids across the new one.
“It's such a big deal because we were stranded from having real access to a park. You couldn't really ride your bike to a park. It was kind of a treacherous route,” Baker said. “So I think being able to have that access open to us again is huge. It's huge for neighbors and huge for building community.”
The Davis Avenue Bridge looks over Woods Run Avenue. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
The $5.4 million project, which broke ground in April 2024, is especially unique because “the city of Pittsburgh basically never builds new bridges,” District 1 Councilmember Bobby Wilson said.
Wilson, who took office in 2020, was essential in advocating for the bridge, along with the Brighton Heights Citizens Group and Friends of Riverview Park.
“I think this bridge is a great example that the North Side matters and that the city's not gonna walk away from investing in that community,” Wilson said. “ I quite frankly think it's a really easy sell to continue to invest in the North Side. We have so many great amenities, and all we need to do is fix it up.”
North Siders can also look forward to upgrades in its parks and playgrounds, including Manchester Park; Cross and Straus Playground and Fowler Park in Perry South; Marmaduke Playground in Brighton Heights; and Deer Pit Playground in Allegheny West. Follow along and share your wish list on the city’s capital projects dashboard.
Go, See, Do!
City officials are excited to welcome neighbors and community groups to celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon cutting. Festivities begin at 11:30 a.m., June 20 on the park side of the bridge.
- 👟 Explore Riverview Park’s trails, tennis courts, and more.
- 🌟 Book a tour of the Allegheny Observatory.
- 🎷 Mark your calendar for the park’s free jazz series.
- 🏡 Get to know the two reconnected neighborhoods, Observatory Hill and Brighton Heights.
