New Work Zone Being Added to University Line Construction on Fifth Avenue in Oakland
June 17, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 17, 2025) – Pittsburgh Regional Transit will open a new work zone along Fifth Avenue in Oakland starting Monday, June 23, as construction progresses on the University Line bus rapid transit project.
The new work zone will be located on the north side of Fifth Avenue between Carlow Drive and Bellefield Avenue. This marks the beginning of construction for four new PRTX stations and upgrades to the existing Atwood Station.
To help ease traffic congestion before the work zone is installed, crews will remove the concrete traffic island at Fifth and Bellefield on Saturday, June 21. The contraflow bus lane and pedestrian railing along Fifth Avenue will remain in place through Fall 2025.
Pedestrian and Traffic Impacts During Construction:
Pedestrian access will be maintained along the south side of Fifth Avenue with temporary crosswalks added where needed.
Depending on the location along Fifth Avenue, one travel lane or one parking lane and a portion of the sidewalk on the north side of Fifth Avenue will be closed.
Street parking on the north side of Fifth Avenue will be restricted in the work zone.
Vehicle access to intersections and side streets will remain open, though traffic will shift slightly toward the south side of Fifth Avenue to accommodate construction.
Future PRTX Stations that will be located within the new work zone are:
- West Oakland Station - Fifth Avenue near Craft Avenue adjacent to Carlow University
- Chesterfield Road Station - Fifth Avenue at Chesterfield Road
- Atwood Station (existing) - Fifth Avenue at Atwood Street
- Bigelow Boulevard Station - Fifth Avenue at University Place
- Tennyson Avenue Station - Fifth Avenue at Tennyson Avenue
What’s Being Built
This phase of construction includes:
- Excavation and utility relocation (water and sewer)
- Installation of new sidewalks, curbs, and ADA-accessible ramps
- Underground conduit for station power, traffic signals, and pedestrian safety systems
In future phases, PRT will install:
- New PRTX shelters with upgraded passenger amenities
- Transit-only lanes
- Final roadway resurfacing and landscaping
When construction is completed, the University Line will feature 24 new modern stations with amenities including seating, lighting, real-time arrival screens, fare vending machines, security cameras, and emergency phones. The service will operate in dedicated bus lanes inbound on Fifth Avenue and outbound on Sixth and Forbes avenues.
Update on PRTX Stations in Downtown Pittsburgh:
PRT is wrapping up construction at five new PRTX Stations in downtown Pittsburgh. The shelter frames are nearly fully installed, and installation of the glass panels is underway. Over the next few weeks, station amenities will be installed and tested. The new stations are expected to open before the end of the summer.
About the University Line:
Construction on the University Line began in Downtown Pittsburgh in September 2023. Once complete in 2027, the $291 million BRT line will provide fast, reliable transit between Downtown and Oakland – the second- and third-largest economic centers in Pennsylvania.
For more details and weekly updates, visit rideprt.org/brt or check out the PRT News Hub.
###