NTSB Board Meeting - 2022 Fern Hollow Bridge Collapse

The National Transportation Safety Board held a virtual board meeting Feb. 21 to determine the probable cause of the collapse of the Forbes Avenue Bridge over Fern Hollow (also referred to as the Fern Hollow Bridge) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On Jan. 28, 2022, the 447-foot-long bridge experienced a structural failure and fell approximately 100 feet into the park below. Six vehicles were on or near the bridge when it collapsed and four people sustained injuries. Investigators found corrosion, deterioration, and section loss on all four of the bridge’s legs due to the continual accumulation of water and debris. This finding led the NTSB in May to issue an early safety recommendation urging the Federal Highway Administration to develop a risk-based, data-driven process to identify, prioritize, and perform any incomplete follow-up actions on bridges with uncoated weathering steel components. During the board meeting, the NTSB’s board voted on the final findings, probable cause, and recommendations. The board also voted on all changes to the draft final report. Additional information is included in the public docket for the investigation. The docket includes factual information, including reports, interview transcripts, and other investigative materials. https://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/Pages/HWY22MH003-BMG.aspx