New Traffic Patterns on Fifth Avenue to Begin Next Week
April 29, 2026
Motorists traveling through Oakland and Uptown will see new traffic patterns on Fifth Avenue beginning next week as construction continues on Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s University Line project.
The updated traffic configuration will be in place through the end of June as crews shift work zones and begin the next phase of roadway and sidewalk reconstruction.
Between Bellefield Avenue and Craft Avenue, current construction will wrap up on May 5. Traffic will then shift to the right, with three lanes remaining open while the two left lanes – including the former counterflow lane - close. This will allow crews to rebuild the roadway and sidewalks and prepare for the future two-way bike lane.
Further along Fifth Avenue – from Craft Avenue to Kirkpatrick Street – traffic will be reduced to a single through lane, with a second lane designated for turns onto the Birmingham Bridge. At the same time, construction will move to the south side of the street as crews begin sidewalk and roadway reconstruction in that section.
From Kirkpatrick Street to Washington Place, traffic is already reduced to a single lane in some areas and will remain in place as crews complete utility work, sidewalk installation, and accessibility upgrades. Final milling and paving in this section is scheduled for June.
Throughout the construction corridor, access to intersections and local businesses will be maintained. Parking will remain restricted along both sides of Fifth Avenue within work zones.
Pedestrian access will continue to be provided through temporary walkways and ADA-accessible ramps.
Beginning May 5, several bus stops will be temporarily impacted. Stops at Fifth Avenue and Seneca Street, Gist Street, and Van Braam Street will be out of service, while stops at Kirkpatrick Street, Wyandotte Street, Dinwiddie Street, and Pride Street will be relocated to the opposite side of the intersection.
Work hours are scheduled for 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with overnight milling and paving operations taking place between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. Weekend work may occur as needed, and all construction activities are weather dependent.
About the University Line
The University Line will deliver a modernized transit corridor featuring dedicated bus lanes on Fifth and Forbes avenues, improving reliability and travel times for riders. The project also includes a new two-way bike lane on Fifth Avenue, upgraded sidewalks and ADA-complaint curb ramps, improved traffic signals, and enhanced pedestrian safety features. These improvements are part of Phase Two of the University Line project, which will strengthen connections between Downtown, Uptown, and Oakland while improving the overall travel experience.