New Sidewalk Installed at William Penn Place Station

PRT’s contractor recently completed installation of the new sidewalk at Fifth Avenue and William Penn Place, adjacent to the Citizens Bank Building.

After pouring the concrete and allowing it to harden, the contractor pressure washes the top layer, exposing the aggregate to obtain the desired look.

The contractor will soon pour a 30-foot concrete slab over the green steel rebar (pictured above) to support the new bus shelter.

When construction is complete, William Penn Place Station will have a 30-foot bus shelter with an ADA compliant loading zone. Station amenities will include a ticket vending machine, emergency phone, security camera(s), seating, lighting and new wayfinding signage.

Two-directional traffic is being maintained. The sidewalk remains open across from the work site.

Construction fencing is expected to remain in place 24/7 until late fall.

Granite Curb to be Placed at Sixth Avenue and Wood Street

Preparations for granite curb installation are underway on Sixth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Wood Street, adjacent to Wood Street Station. Before PRT’s contractor can install the new granite curb, they must first place a geotextile fabric and pour a concrete footer to support the new curb.

Although the new PRTX station will be placed adjacent to the K&L Gates Building, the area outside of Wood Street light rail station will be greatly improved with a new sidewalk, granite curb and accessible ramps. This is one of several locations along the University Line corridor that is being modernized to include safety and accessibility improvements.

When construction for the University Line is complete, the new 30-foot PRTX bus shelter will be placed on Sixth Avenue adjacent to the K&L Gates Building. Station amenities will include a ticket vending machine, emergency phone, security camera(s), seating, lighting and new wayfinding signage.

Traffic is reduced to one outbound travel lane. The sidewalk remains open across from the work site.

Construction fencing is expected to remain in place until late fall.

Electrical Work to Continue Throughout the Downtown Loop

Ultimately, 35 new traffic signals will support the University Line in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Over the past few months, electrical crews have been placing foundations for new traffic signals and erecting poles, running conduit and installing new traffic signal controller boxes throughout the Downtown Loop.

Recently, they began hanging new traffic signals at Sixth Avenue and Ross Street, Sixth Avenue and Centre Avenue, as well as Sixth Avenue and Fifth Avenue. Most of the new signals will be mounted to the poles and wrapped in a tarp until they are put into service.

Over the next week, electrical crews will be working weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

Each location has additional work to be performed. The contractor will move between locations to help keep the project on schedule.

Pedestrian access will always be maintained; however, some work may require the use of the adjacent parking/travel lane.

Construction Locations for the University Line

PRT’s contractor has seven major work zones in downtown Pittsburgh. Five of the locations will be PRTX stations (highlighted in green) and the other two locations are safety improvement zones (highlighted in blue).

When construction for the University Line is complete, there will be five new PRTX stations:

In addition to the five stations, there are two safety improvement sites at: 

​ 6. Sixth Avenue (between Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street)

​ 7. Sixth Avenue (between Smithfield Street and William Penn Place)

Both safety improvement sites will have new expanded sidewalks with granite curbs and accessible ramps improving safety and accessibility along the corridor.

To learn more about each of the current construction locations, please visit our Construction Locations web page.

Thank you for your continued support of this project.

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