Executive Innamorato Celebrates Completion of Armstrong Tunnel Project

Published on May 28, 2025

Inbound Tunnel to Reopen Tomorrow Morning

PITTSBURGH – The Department of Public Works announced today that the inbound Armstrong Tunnel will reopen and the more than two-year, $13.1 million Armstrong Tunnel rehabilitation project will end tomorrow morning. County Executive Sara Innamorato was joined by local elected officials and members of her administration for a ribbon-cutting today to celebrate the accomplishment.

“We know that a connected community is a thriving community,” said County Executive Innamorato. “This project not only restores a vital piece of infrastructure, it also reflects our commitment to safety, sustainability, and smart investment in the future of Allegheny County.”

The Armstrong Tunnel, which provides a vital connection between Second Avenue and Forbes Avenue in Pittsburgh, is used by an average of 11,039 vehicles daily. Its rehabilitation was necessary to extend its life and make it safer for drivers and pedestrians. Inspections prior to the project indicated that deterioration of the tunnel’s concrete and masonry, ceramic tile liner, and lighting fixtures needed to be addressed, and its safety systems needed to be brought up to current standards.

The rehabilitation project began on March 4, 2023. Work on the tunnel included concrete repairs; removal of the ceramic tile liner and replacement with fireproof wall panels; masonry cleaning at the tunnel entrances and exits; lighting, electrical, and fire detection and suppression system upgrades; installation of a CCTV monitoring system; and placement of new pavement, curb, sidewalk, signs, and pavement markings.

The Armstrong Tunnel now features a new lane configuration that is intended to slow traffic and improve safety. Prior to the project, there were two 10-foot-wide lanes with no shoulders in both the inbound and outbound tunnels. The inbound tunnel now has one 12-foot lane with two 4-foot shoulders except at the tunnel exit, where there are two right-turn lanes. The outbound tunnel now has one 12-foot lane with about 3-foot shoulders except at the tunnel exit, where there is a left turn lane and a straight/right-turn lane.

The outbound tunnel also now boasts a wider sidewalk – except near the entrances, where there wasn’t enough room for the vehicle turn lanes and an expanded sidewalk. Prior to the project, the sidewalk was 3 feet, 9 inches wide, and now, most of sidewalk within the tunnel is 6 feet, 3 inches wide.

While the sidewalk work associated with the rehabilitation project has been completed, the sidewalk is expected to remain closed through September. On the Forbes Avenue side of the tunnel, Duquesne University is using scaffolding on the sidewalk to make repairs to the Fisher Hall pedestrian bridge.

Mosites Construction Company of Robinson was the Armstrong Tunnel rehabilitation project’s primary construction contractor. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) paid 80% of the project's cost, and Allegheny County paid 20%. Of the federal funding, $1.25 million came from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) provided oversight of the federal funding.

“We are enormously proud of the significant repairs and safety upgrades that were made to the tunnel over the past couple of years,” Public Works Director Stephen Shanley, P.E., said. “This project is another great example of our department’s dedication to substantially improving the critical infrastructure that connects our communities. We couldn’t have done it without the hard work of many, and we’re especially thankful for the contributions of the Federal Highway Administration, PennDOT, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, and our consultants and contractors.”

The 1,298-foot-long tunnel opened in 1927. It is named in honor of former Allegheny County Commissioner and Pittsburgh Mayor Joseph G. Armstrong, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Prior to this project, it was last rehabilitated between 1989 and 1991.

Media inquiries may be directed to Brent Wasko, Public Information Officer for the Department of Public Works
brent.wasko@alleghenycounty.us or by phone at 412-350-2451 or 412-577-6175 (cell).