Red bus lanes are coming to Fifth Avenue next week
May 23, 2025
.jpg "A red bus lane recently installed on Sixth Avenue downtown")
Red Bus Lanes Are Coming to Fifth Avenue Next Week
Earlier this week, PRT’s contractor installed red bus lanes on Liberty and Sixth avenues downtown. Next week, they will install a bus lane on Fifth Avenue.
Starting Tuesday, May 27, crews will be working on Fifth Avenue between Grant Street and Liberty Avenue. Crews will place the traffic detour at 5 a.m. Installation will begin at 8 p.m. and is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Wednesday, May 28.
Starting Wednesday May 28, crews will be working Fifth Avenue between Sixth Avenue and Grant Street. Crews will place the traffic detour at 5 a.m. Installation will begin at 8 p.m. and is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. on Thursday, May 29.
When installation of the new bus lanes is complete, bus routes 61A, 61B, 61C, and 71B will travel in the new lanes, inbound on Fifth Avenue and outbound on Sixth Avenue. General traffic will do the opposite and travel inbound on Sixth Avenue and outbound on Fifth Avenue.
Work is weather dependent, and dates are subject to change. Additional details for each phase will be announced weekly at https://prt-brt-newshub.prezly.com/.
.jpg "Roadway restoration recently completed at Sixth and Liberty avenues")
Roadway Restoration Completed at Wood Street Station
PRT’s contractor recently completed roadway restoration on Sixth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Wood Street in preperation for the new red bus lane.
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 all station compontents have been tested, which is expected to happen in mid-summer 2025.
When construction for the University Line is complete, there will be five new PRTX stations in the Downtown Loop.
Sidewalk Demolition to Begin at Fifth Avenue and Washington Place in Uptown
PRT’s contractor recently established a new work zone on the north side of Fifth Avenue in front of PPG Paints Arena to build the University Line.
On Tuesday, May 28, construction fencing will be placed on Fifth Avenue between Washington Place and Magee Street in preperation for demolition of the sidewalk and curb.
The construction barrier is expected to remain in place 24/7 until 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.
In addition to the new bus stations, the University Line project includes new sidewalks on most of Fifth and Forbes avenues in Uptown.
More than 40 intersections along the University Line will be modernized to include accessible ramps and crosswalks, new traffic singals, accessible pedestrian signals with push button activators, and illuminated pedestrian countdown signals.
Electrical Work to Continue in Uptown
PRT’s electrical subcontractor is working on Fifth Avenue in Uptown to place new light poles 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 every evening.
.jpg "New catch basin recently installed at Fifth Avenue and Braam Street")
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.
.png "Map of 24 PRTX stations along the University Line corridor")
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