Signs are scheduled to go up in about a week advising motorists that reconstruction on the Homestead Grays Bridge will start after Thanksgiving weekend.

From Nov. 28 through the end of February, some bridge lanes will be closed only during the day for preparation work, then for the main event, two of the four lanes will be closed around-the-clock up to May 4, 2007.

If Balfour-Beatty, the prime contractor, doesn't have the new deck and sidewalks totally open by the then, it is to be assessed a $15,000-a-day penalty.

If there's anything positive to be said about such a disruptive project, it's this: "The bridge will be wide open for the upcoming shopping season," said Doug Aiken, construction manager for the Allegheny County Public Works Department.

I will probably just move if I'm not actually leaving in December... This is going to be royal pain.