Pittsburgh incline to close for $3.5 million reconstruction

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Authorities in western Pennsylvania say an incline that gives sightseers a panoramic view of Pittsburgh will be closing next month for about 12 weeks.

Port Authority of Allegheny County officials confirmed Friday that the Monongahela Incline will close Aug. 31 to begin a $3.5 million reconstruction project.

Nearly 6,000 riders on average use the incline on August weekends and about 1,700 people use it daily during the week in fall and winter.

The Mount Washington Community Development Corporation sought a delay of the closure until after Labor Day, saying many residents, visitors, and businesses rely on the incline.

But authority officials said the project has already been pushed back from June due to resident concerns and another delay would push the project closer to winter, when days are shorter.