Pittsburgh Prepares for University Line Bus Rapid Transit Construction

News Summary

Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood will experience significant construction disruptions as the second phase of the University Line Bus Rapid Transit Project begins. The project involves road closures and detours affecting local residents, commuters, and students. Key roads like North Bouquet Street and the Parkway East will close, leading to increased traffic congestion. However, bus routes will maintain normal schedules. The project aims to enhance public transit with new stations and improved infrastructure, projected to continue through late 2027.

Pittsburgh is bracing for significant construction and traffic disruptions as the second phase of the University Line Bus Rapid Transit Project is set to begin this weekend. The work will result in road closures and detours that will affect local residents, commuters, and students in the busy Oakland neighborhood.

The construction will officially kick off with North Bouquet Street closing from Fifth to O’Hara streets until 6 a.m. on Monday to facilitate reconstruction and line painting efforts. Meanwhile, the Parkway East will also be fully closed this weekend, leading to increased traffic detours through the area. Travelers are advised to expect heightened congestion on Forbes Avenue, which has become one of the primary alternate routes.

In light of the closures, bus routes on Fifth and Forbes Avenue are expected to continue operating on their normal schedules, with flaggers on-site to assist with traffic flow during the construction. However, travelers are strongly encouraged to leave early and prepare for potential delays to ease frustrations caused by the ongoing work.

As part of the project, scheduled line painting will take place along Forbes Avenue from Craft Avenue to Schenley Drive Extension weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., further contributing to traffic changes in the area.

Details of the Construction Project

The University Line project is a major initiative, funded under a $99.8 million contract, aimed at enhancing public transit options between Downtown Pittsburgh and the Oakland neighborhood. It includes the construction of 18 new stations equipped with modern amenities such as fare-vending machines and real-time bus arrival displays.

In addition to the new stations, the project will upgrade 39 intersections in Oakland and Uptown, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) through the addition of curb ramps and pedestrian countdown signals. The construction will also see the installation of new sidewalks, trees, and streetlights in both neighborhoods.

Long-Term Impact and Future Plans

The University Line project is projected to continue until late 2027, significantly impacting various bus routes that run through the area. Future construction efforts are scheduled to commence later this year, transitioning the focus to Fifth Avenue, with additional work expected to begin in early 2026.

Overall, the entire project budget stands at approximately $291 million, with plans in place for possible extensions of the transit system to Highland Park, Greenfield, and McKeesport once funding becomes available. This ambitious endeavor aims not only to improve transit efficiency but also to foster connectivity across Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods.

Community Engagement and Updates

For residents seeking more information about the ongoing construction and its impact on local traffic, upcoming public meetings will be held to provide updates and answer questions. These sessions will serve as a platform for community engagement, allowing for discussions on how best to navigate the changes as they unfold.

In summary, as Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood prepares for a transformative period of construction, local officials urge residents and travelers to remain informed and patient through the inconveniences of the University Line project.

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Additional Resources

• CBS News: Pittsburgh Regional Transit Oakland Construction
• Wikipedia: Pittsburgh
• Union Progress: Work on Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s University Line
• Google Search: Pittsburgh Regional Transit University Line
• Post-Gazette: PRT Oakland University Line Construction Closures
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Pittsburgh Public Transit
• WTAE: Pittsburgh Regional Transit University Line Construction Project
• Google News: Pittsburgh Regional Transit