New Work Zone to be Established on Fifth Avenue in Oakland

New Work Zone Coming to Fifth Avenue in Oakland

On Monday, June 23, PRT’s contractor will establish a new work zone along Fifth Avenue between Carlow Drive and Bellefield Avenue. This marks the beginning of construction of 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. 

Future PRTX Stations that will be located within the new work zone are: 

This phase of construction includes excavation and utility relocation, installation of new sidewalks, curbs, and ADA-accessible ramps, and placing underground conduit for station power, traffic signals, and pedestrian safety systems.

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. 

The majority of the existing bus stops within the new work zone will remain available to accommodate riders. Some stops may be moved a few feet to the left or right of the existing stop depending on the work to be performed. Two stops – Fifth Avenue at Thackery and Fifth Avenue at University Place - will be combined into one new temporary stop mid-block between the existing stops.

This phase of construction on Fifth Avenue is expected to be completed in Fall 2025.

Construction Fencing to be Reduced on Forbes Avenue in Oakland

PRT’s contractor is wrapping up their preliminary work on Forbes Avenue in Oakland. Over the next two weeks, the contractor will begin to reduce the size of the construction fencing at the following locations:

The contractor must maintain a small amount of construction fencing at each of the locations to protect the new underground electrical conduit in the sidewalk.

Construction fencing has already been removed at Forbes Avenue and Craft Avenue. The sidewalk will remain closed until fencing is removed at all other work locations. 

The construction fencing at Forbes Avenue at Schenley Drive is expected to remain for a few weeks while the contractor finalizes the remaining work in this area.

PRT’s contractor will return to pave the roadway in future phases.

Electrical Infrastructure Work to Continue on Fifth Avenue in Oakland

PRT’s electrical subcontractor will continue to run underground electrical conduit next week to supply power to the future PRTX stations.

Crews will be working weekdays from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Fifth Avenue between Chesterfield Road and North Bellfield Avenue.

To accommodate this work, one travel lane and the sidewalk adjacent to the work area may be closed. Traffic restrictions will be removed by 6 a.m. each morning.

Work areas will be covered with steel plates during the day. Work is expected to take two to three weeks.

While the contraflow bus lane on Fifth Avenue is being removed as part of The University Line project, that’s not happening any time soon.

Work on Forbes Avenue must be completed before PRT can move buses from the Fifth Avenue contraflow lane to Forbes Avenue, which is not expected to happen until fall of 2025.

The pedestrian railing will stay in place until the contraflow lane is removed and the railing is no longer needed.

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. 

Glass Panels Being Installed at Downtown University Line Stations

PRT’s contractor is wrapping up installation of new bus shelters at five new PRTX Stations in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Steel frames are being finshed and contractors have started to install glass panels overhead and along the back to protect riders from the weather.

PRTX Stations will have upgraded amenities including seating, lighting, new bus arrival screens, emergency phones, and security cameras. Additionally, fare vending machines will be installed at a later date.

PRT plans to open the new PRTX Stations before the end of the summer.

Stamped Crosswalk Placed at Sixth Avenue and Wood Street

PRT’s contractor recently placed a new stamped concrete crosswalk at Sixth Avenue and Wood Street, adjacent to Wood Street light rail station and Wood Street PRTX Station.

Additionally, installation of new sidewalks and curbs at Wood Street Light Rail Station is complete. Construction fencing has been removed and the bus stop at Liberty Avenue and Wood Street is back in service.

Wood Street PRTX Station is expected to open before the end of Summer.

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