Bus Shelters Being Erected in Oakland

The first two shelters in Oakland were erected this week along Forbes Avenue. ​ The first one under construction is the Central Oakland PRTX Station located at the intersection with Bouquet Street in front of the University of Pittsburgh’s Barco Law Building. The 60-foot shelter will have an ADA compliant loading zone and accessible ramps. and will also include seating, lighting, next-bus arrival screens, fare vending , emergency phones, and security cameras. For perspective, this shelter will resemble the Steel Plaza PRTX Station in downtown Pittsburgh.

The second shelter is the West Oakland PRTX Station, located mid-block between Craft Avenue and Halket . When completed, this station will have a new 30-foot bus shelter with an ADA compliant loading zone and accessible ramps in addition to seating, lighting, next-bus arrival screens, a fare vending machine, emergency phones, and security cameras.

Construction on Fifth Avenue in Uptown Ongoing

Construction crews continue road and sidewalk restoration along the north side of Fifth Avenue in Uptown.

The road restoration includes milling, patching, and paving the roadway in preparation for the future bus lane. Milling has been completed and concrete patching of the road is underway. Final paving is anticipated to be completed by the end of June with red paint to be applied in early fall.

As part of this work, two intersections along Fifth Avenue will remain closed. The intersection of Fifth Avenue and Pride Street is closed around the clock while crews restore the roadway between both sides of Pride Street. Concrete will be poured next week with the intersection scheduled to reopen on Saturday, June 13.

The intersection of Fifth Avenue and Vine Street ( Marion Street) is closed on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. while contractors perform trench restoration work. Heavy equipment required for the work will occupy the roadway during construction hours. Work is expected to be ​ and Vine Street reopened on Saturday, June 6.

Once the north side of the road is paved, construction will switch to the south side of Fifth Avenue stretching from Kirkpatrick Street to Diamond Street to begin sidewalk and future road restoration activities. This phase of work is expected to begin in July and last through the first quarter of 2027.

Parking has been prohibited on both sides of the road during construction to allow one lane of traffic to flow safely through the work zone. When the project is completed, parking will be permanently eliminated along Fifth Avenue on:

While road restoration is ongoing, traffic on Fifth Avenue will remain a single lane traveling on the north side from the Boulevard of the Allies ​ to Kirkpatrick Street then moving to the south side from Kirkpatrick Street to Diamond Street. ​

When sidewalk work begins on the south side of Fifth Avenue in July, one lane of traffic will travel in the recently completed northern lane of the road. Two lanes of traffic will be open periodically within the construction corridor.

In Oakland, from Bellefield Avenue to Craft Avenue, the two left lanes – including the former counterflow lane – are closed. PRT contractors continue work to rebuild the roadway and sidewalks in preparation for the future bi-directional bike lane. ​ ​

This phase of work will also create a new extended curb line that will widen the existing sidewalk. Several sections of sidewalk adjacent to the future bike lane will be replaced. ​

Throughout the construction corridor, access to local businesses will be maintained. Pedestrian access will continue to be provided through temporary walkways and ADA-accessible ramps.

Several bus stops are temporarily impacted during this phase of construction. Bus stops temporarily removed from service include:

Bus stops relocating to the opposite side of the intersection are:

Work hours are scheduled from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Weekend work may occur as needed, and all construction activities are weather dependent.

Motorists are advised to observe construction signage and reduce speed through the work zones.

along the north side of Fifth Avenue, PRT contractors are working to complete sidewalk restoration activities including installing new wider sidewalks and curbs, as well as pouring concrete foundations for future PRTX bus stations. Crews are also installing new traffic signals and pedestrian safety systems. New lighting, consisting of shorter decorative poles and larger light poles, are currently being erected.

Almost the entire length of Fifth and Forbes ​ in Uptown will receive new sidewalks and curbs on both sides of the street in addition to the newly paved roads.

Sidewalk Work Progressing on Forbes Avenue in Uptown

PRT contractors are in the final stages of sidewalk improvements along the south side of Forbes Avenue in Uptown. This work consists of sidewalk demolition, utility relocation, installing new curbs, installing conduit to power station amenities, lighting and traffic signals, and concrete being poured for station slabs and final sidewalk restoration.

Many sidewalks have already been completed featuring new curbs and wider sidewalks, as well as accessibility and safety improvements.

The next phase along the southern lane of Forbes Avenue will be road restoration in preparation for the future bus lane. This construction, slated to begin in early July, will introduce a new single lane traffic pattern as crews begin milling, patching, and paving operations to rebuild the roadway from Boyd Street to Brady Street at ​ Bridge.

To accommodate active work zones and maintain a travel lane through the corridor, on-street parking will continue to be suspended on both sides of Forbes Avenue.

Throughout the construction corridor, access to intersections and local businesses will be maintained. Pedestrian access will continue to be provided through either temporary walkways and ADA-accessible ramps or open sidewalks ​ the active construction zones.

The public is encouraged to plan for additional travel time and remain alert to changing traffic conditions and posted detour information.

Map of 24 PRTX stations along the University Line corridor

The University Line Corridor ​

When construction for the University Line is complete, there will be 24 PRTX stations throughout Downtown, Uptown, and Oakland. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

PRT continues to work closely with stakeholders including community groups, universities, businesses, and other impacted groups during construction. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

PRTX stations will have new shelters with upgraded amenities, including next-bus arrival screens, fare vending machines, seating, lighting, emergency phones and security cameras. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

For questions or concerns, please contact brt@rideprt.org or 412-442-2000.