Red bus lanes have been installed downtown

Red Bus Lanes Have Been Installed Downtown

PRT’s contractor has completed the installation of new red bus lanes on Fifth, Liberty, and Sixth avenues in Downtown Pittsburgh.

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. 

The installation of the red bus lanes is one of the final steps needed to complete Phase One of the University Line in Downtown Pittsburgh.

While it may appear to be red paint on the roadway, it’s actually small red stones applied to an epoxy.

After a coating of epoxy is applied to the roadway, a large hose is used to spay the very small red stones where they embed into the sticky surface.

After installation, the roadway is swept to remove any loose stones. Leaf blowers and brooms are used to clean-up the sidewalk. This clean-up process will be repeated again in the next few weeks.

The dedicated bus lanes will help to improvove service reliability while reducing congestion.

Shelter Installation to Continue at Market Square Station

PRT’s contractor recently started to install a new 60-foot bus shelter on Fifth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Market Street.

Market Square PRTX Station will have new 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 components 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.

Fencing on Sixth Avenue Has Been Removed

PRT’s contractor recently removed the fencing on Sixth Avenue between Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street adjacent to the Allegheny County Courthouse.

While this is not the site of a new PRTX station, Sixth Avenue has a new and expanded sidewalk with new curbs and accessible ramps.

The four-way intersection has been modernized with new crosswalks and traffic signals, accessible pedestrian signals, push button activators and illuminated pedestrian count down signals.

Sidewalk Demolition is Underway on Fifth Avenue in Uptown

PRT’s contractor recently established a new work zone on the north side of Fifth Avenue between Washington Place and Stevenson Street.

Instead of restricting pedestrian access for the entire zone, the contractor divided the area into three sections, providing access to intersections and crosswalks between each section.

Before building the new PRTX stations, the contractor will remove the existing sidewalk, curb, and section of roadway. Electrical conduit will be placed to provide power to the stations that will be installed.

Then, new sidewalks, curbs, and acesssible ramps wil be constructed.

The construction barrier is expected to remain in place 24/7 until this phase of work is completed, which is expected to happen in the 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 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 each evening. 

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. 

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