Kirkpatrick Street and Fifth Avenue Intersection Improvements Underway

PRT contractors have completed installation of the concrete base for Kirkpatrick Street as part of the roadway realignment with the Birmingham Bridge. Kirkpatrick Street will remain closed between Fifth Avenue and Beelen Street next week as crews place the asphalt topcoat on the road and install new curbs and sidewalks. ​

Other construction activities at the intersection include Fifth Avenue road restoration, new curbs and sidewalk on the north side (facing downtown) of Fifth Avenue, new curbs and sidewalks on both sides of Kirkpatrick Street, installation of new traffic signals and pedestrian safety signals, and pouring the concrete slab for the future PRTX bus station. Flaggers are on-site to assist motorists and pedestrians through the work zone.

Once the new roadway, sidewalk, and curbs are completed, the residential-only permitted parking lot adjacent to the roadway will open.

Road Restoration Continues on Fifth Avenue

Roadway reconstruction along Fifth Avenue in the future bus-only lane from Bellefield Avenue to Kirkpatrick Street continues throughout the entire work zone. The road is expected to be restored from Bellefield to Craft avenues by the end of April while milling and paving from Craft Avenue to Kirkpatrick Street will be completed by July 1. ​ ​

Construction activities include milling, patching, and paving the roadway. ​ New road will be installed nearest to the future PRTX Stations while other sections will be milled and paved. ​ ​

In addition to the road work, contractors continue installation of new sidewalks, curbs, and ADA-accessible ramps. ​

Sidewalk restoration was recently completed in front of the Atwood Station on Fifth Avenue. The temporary/current sidewalk extension, placed to the right of Atwood Station, will be removed on April 18 to allow for road paving. To accommodate this work, the bus stop will be moved to the front of the current Atwood Station where riders can board and exit buses at the curb. ​

Intersections, along with pedestrian and business access, will be maintained throughout the construction zone. Flaggers will help 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. ​ ​

Traffic on Fifth Avenue between Bellefield Avenue and Robinson Street 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. ​

On Fifth Avenue in Uptown between Robinson and Wyandotte streets, traffic will be reduced to one inbound travel lane, with an additional left-turn lane at the Birmingham Bridge. ​ ​

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

Traffic on Forbes Avenue from Jumonville Street to Birmingham Bridge will be reduced to one outbound travel lane during work hours. Two travel lanes will be restored after work hours. ​

Traffic, Safety and Light Pole Installation Ongoing Throughout Uptown and Oakland

Traffic signal poles, pedestrian safety signal poles and decorative lighting continue to be installed throughout the University Line corridor along Fifth and Forbes avenues. ​

Crews are modernizing the pedestrian safety systems at 42 intersections ​ throughout Uptown and Oakland. Several of the decorative lights are now in place and will be operational at the completion of the project.

Once completed, there will be 46 new fluted decorative lights and 73 new traffic poles and signals.

Utility Relocation and Sidewalk Construction Continues in Oakland and Uptown

PRT contractors are visible at many locations throughout Forbes and Fifth avenues 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. On April 6, contractors initiated a new work zone on Forbes Avenue between Boyd and Stevenson streets. Ultimately, five new PRTX stations will be located on Forbes Avenue and five stations on Fifth Avenue in Uptown. ​

The active sidewalk work zone in Oakland is located at Fifth and Craft avenues where sidewalk restoration is underway following utility relocation.

Contractors continue to install new concrete sidewalks and curbs, place framework, install future station slabs, and run electrical conduit. Excavation for new tree pits has begun in anticipation for future tree plantings in the Uptown corridor. While some trees will be removed as part of the University Line Project, more trees will be planted than what is removed. ​ ​ ​

It is important to note that while the University Line project has numerous construction sites along Fifth Avenue in Uptown, there are several other construction projects not associated with PRT that may impact traffic flow or pedestrian sidewalk access.

Crews will be on site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and an occasional Sunday, weather dependent.

Parking has been suspended on both sides of Forbes Avenue between Boyd and Brady streets. Access to businesses, parking lots, garages, side streets, and intersections will remain open. Pedestrian access will be maintained with temporary crosswalks and accessible ramps.

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.