New bus lanes downtown are complete

New Bus Lanes Downtown Are Complete!

PRT’s contractor has completed the installation of new red bus lanes on Fifth, Liberty, and Sixth avenues in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Bus routes 61A, 61B, 61C, and 71B are traveling in the new bus-only lanes, inbound on Fifth Avenue and outbound on Sixth Avenue. General traffic will travel in the opposite direction of the bus lanes; inbound on Sixth Avenue and outbound on Fifth Avenue. 

Port Authority Police are currently educating drivers through verbal warnings. Soon, those caught driving, loading or parking in the bus-only lanes will be issued a citation.

Installation of the red bus lanes was one of the final steps needed to complete Phase One of the University Line in Downtown Pittsburgh.

While a clean-up of the small red stones giving the roadway its color has already been completed, the contractor will return to perform another sweeping in the next few weeks.

The dedicated bus lanes will help to improvove service reliability while reducing congestion.

Work to Continue at Wood Street Station

PRT’s contractor recently completed roadway restoration on Sixth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Wood Street in preparation for the new red bus lane which was installed last last week.

Installation of the new 15-foot bus shelter is nearly complete.

Wood Street PRTX Station will have seating, lighting, real-time arrival screens, an emergency phone, and security cameras.

Construction fencing is expected to remain in place 24/7 until the end of June.

When construction for the University Line is complete, there will be five new PRTX stations in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Roadway Restoration at Fifth and Sixth Avenues to Continue Next Week

PRT’s contractor recently removed the fencing on Sixth Avenue between Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street adjacent to the Allegheny County Courthouse.

Now, they are restoring the concrete roadway at the intersection.

While this is not the site of a new PRTX station, Sixth Avenue has a new and expanded sidewalk with new curbs and accessible ramps.

The four-way intersection has been modernized with new crosswalks and traffic signals, accessible pedestrian signals, push button activators and illuminated pedestrian countdown signals.

Roadway restoration is expected to be completed in the next few weeks.

Drainage Infrastructure Work to Continue at Fifth Avenue and Washington Place

PRT’s contractor recently established a new work zone on the north side of Fifth Avenue between Washington Place and Stevenson Street, adjacent to PPG Paints Arena.

PRT can’t build on top of water and sewer infrastructure, so we have to relocate the lines before we can build new PRTX stations.

After water and sewer infrastrucure is relocated, electrical conduit will be placed to provide power to the stations that will be installed.

New sidewalks, curbs, and acesssible ramps will then be constructed.

The construction barrier is expected to remain in place 24/7 until this phase of work is completed, which is expected to happen in the fall.

When construction is complete, there will be two new PRTX stations this section of Fifth Avenue - Uptown West at Washington Place and Pride Street Station at Pride Street.

Electrical Work to Continue in Uptown

PRT’s electrical subcontractor is working on Fifth Avenue in Uptown to place new light and pedestrian poles as well as underground electrical conduit to supply power to the future PRTX stations.

Crews will be working on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Forbes Avenue between Diamond and Pride streets.

To accommodate this work, one travel lane and the sidewalk adjacent to the work area may be closed. Traffic restrictions will be removed each evening. 

Catch Basin Replacements to Continue in Uptown

PRT’s contractor is replacing drainage infrastructure in Uptown. Crews are working weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to replace several catch basins on Fifth Avenue between Diamond and Wyandotte streets.

This work will require a partial lane closure providing access to the manhole and/or catch basin on or near the curb. Traffic restrictions will change as work progresses and moves from side to side within the zone. Traffic restrictions will be removed each night. 

The University Line Corridor

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

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

To learn more about each of the current construction locations, please visit the University Line Newshub at prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/

Thank you for your continued support of this project. 

Please Stay in Touch! ​ 

For general project updates, please visit: www.rideprt.org/brt

For weekly construction updates, please visit: https://bit.ly/ULine-newshub

Questions or concerns? ​ 412-442-2000 / BRT@Rideprt.org