[naviga:h3]Repairs to close Mon Incline[/naviga:h3]

PITTSBURGH — Authorities 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 and another delay would push the project closer to winter.

[naviga:h3]Man dies while swimming river[/naviga:h3]

BELLE VERNON — Authorities say a man died while swimming with friends in the Youghiogheny River. Officials said Dallas Kennedy, 18, of Elizabeth was in the river in Rostraver Township in Westmoreland County on Saturday afternoon.

The Washington County coroner’s office said he went under and was beneath the surface for about 20 minutes. Officials said that when the victim surfaced, his friends pulled him ashore and called 911. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.