Construction to Impact Traffic Patterns Along Fifth and Forbes Avenues

Construction to Impact Traffic Patterns Along Fifth and Forbes Avenues

Construction on the University Line project will impact traffic patterns and street parking in Oakland and Uptown starting Friday and lasting through the end of April.

PRT contractors will place new roadway paint on March 13 and remove and replace the concrete barriers with channelizers on March 14. Construction activity will affect traffic on Fifth Avenue between Bellefield Avenue and Robinson Street, Fifth Avenue between Robinson and Wyandotte streets, and Forbes Avenue between Jumonville Street and the Birmingham Bridge.

Construction activities include milling, patching, and paving the roadway while continuing installation of new sidewalks, ​ curbs, and ADA-accessible ramps.

Intersections and pedestrian and business access will be maintained throughout the work zones, with flaggers helping direct traffic.

PRT will make every effort to maintain bus stops along Fifth and Forbes avenues. However, some bus stops may be temporarily taken out of service or relocated to accommodate construction activities.

Fifth Avenue (between Bellefield Avenue and Robinson Street)

Traffic on Fifth Avenue in Oakland will shift to the south (left) curb while construction takes place in the two north (right) travel lanes.

To maintain three travel lanes in this section of the corridor, drivers will be permitted to use the former counterflow bus lane to travel inbound toward Downtown through the end of April.

Fifth Avenue (between Robinson Street and Wyandotte Street)

In Uptown, traffic will be reduced to one inbound travel lane, with an additional left-turn lane at Birmingham Bridge.

Street parking will be suspended on both sides of the roadway within the work zone.

Bus stops in this zone will remain in service but may be shifted up to 100 feet forward or backward to accommodate construction.

Forbes Avenue (from Jumonville Street to Birmingham Bridge)

Traffic on Forbes Avenue will be reduced to one outbound travel lane during work hours. Two travel lanes will be restored after work hours.

Sidewalk Demolition and Restoration Underway in Uptown

PRT contractors are visible at multiple locations throughout Forbes and Fifth avenues in Uptown performing sidewalk demolition, utility relocation, and final restoration.

The active work zones extend on Forbes Avenue from Stevenson Street to Jumonville Street and on Fifth Avenue from Kirkpatrick Street to Washington Place. Ultimately, five new PRTX stations will be located on Forbes Avenue and five stations on Fifth Avenue in Uptown.

Last week, contractors installed new concrete sidewalks and curbs, placed framework for station slabs and ran electrical conduits at multiple locations along Fifth and Forbes avenues.

Crews will be on site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, weather dependent, through the end of March 2026.

Parking has been suspended on both sides of Forbes Avenue between Stevenson Street and Brady Street. Side streets and intersections will remain open. Pedestrian access will be maintained with temporary crosswalks and accessible ramps.

Contractors recently discovered large voids under the sidewalk at Forbes Avenue and Pride Street

Underground Vaults Discovered During Excavation

Much of the sidewalk on Forbes and Fifth avenues throughout Uptown have not been deeply excavated for many decades. Sub-surface utility locations were determined through engineering, surveys, and records. Even then, PRT contractors made on-site discoveries that were previously unknown.

The first discovery occurred at the future Pride Street PRTX Station on Forbes Avenue right before Pride Street. Contractors exposed eight very large voids sitting directly beneath the sidewalk (pictured above). These voids, each measuring about 6 feet deep by 10 feet wide, were connected through an opening in each wall. It is believed this was part of an underground tunnel system. In order for the sidewalk and station slab to be supported, the voids were filled with concrete.

The second discovery was made on the south side of Fifth Avenue and Pride Street. Contractors located another underground tunnel system complete with a brick arched ceiling and walkway. Limited vision of the tunnel prohibited larger views of the system, but contractors were able to view the walkway leading to a sealed door (pictured above). Contractors were able to construct the new sidewalk and locate utilities without disturbing this tunnel system.

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.