Roadway Restoration Completed at Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street

April 25, 2025

*New asphalt recently placed on Sixth Avenue at Smithfield Street*

PRT’s contractor recently paved a section of Sixth Avenue at Smithfield Street adjacent to Mellon Garage. This is one of many locations throughout the Downtown Loop where paving must be completed before the red bus lane is installed.

When construction for the University Line Downton Loop is completed, buses will travel inbound in the red bus lane on Fifth Avenue and outbound in the red bus lane on Sixth Avenue.

More details about the red bus lane installation to be announced soon.

*New granite curb recently installed on Sixth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Wood Street*

Granite Curb Installation is Underway at Wood Street Station

PRT’s contractor is installing a new curb on Sixth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Wood Street, adjacent to the K&L Gates building. In the coming weeks, they will place a newly expanded sidewalk with accessible ramps.

To accommodate the work zone, traffic is shifted to the north side of Sixth Avenue. Vehicles traveling outbound on Liberty Avenue can turn right onto Sixth Avenue. Vehicles traveling inbound on Sixth Avenue must turn right or left onto Wood Street.

When construction for the Downtown Loop is complete, Wood Street PRTX Station will have a new 30-foot bus shelter with transit amenities adjacent to the K&L Gates building.

*Steel bus shelter frame recently placed at Fifth Avenue and William Penn Place*

Shelter Installation to Continue at William Penn Place

PRT’s contractor has already begun installation of the new bus shelter on Fifth Avenue at William Penn Place, adjacent to the Citizens Bank Building.

The new PRTX Station will have a 30-foot bus shelter, emergency phone, security camera(s), seating, lighting, and real time arrival signs.

Shelter installation is expected to take several weeks. When installation is complete, the contractor will reduce the size of the fence and reopen the sidewalk.

Construction fencing is expected to remain in place until spring/summer 2025.

*New station slabs recently placed at Forbes Avenue and South Bouquet Street*

Sidewalk Installation to Continue at Central Oakland Station

PRT’s contractor is installing a new sidewalk, two station slabs, and a new curb on Forbes Avenue at South Bouquet Street.

The contractor previously relocated the drainage and electrical infrastructure in preparation for the new PRTX bus rapid transit station.

Construction fencing is expected to remain in place 24/7 until May.

Later this year, the contractor will return to construct Central Oakland Station with two 60-foot bus shelters and transit amenities.

*Electrical conduit recently placed at Forbes Avenue and McKee Place*

Electrical Conduit placed at McKee Place Station

The PRT’s contractor is placing new concrete curbs and is preparing for sidewalk installation. They recently restored the roadway and placed electrical conduit in preparation for the new PRTX station at Forbes Avenue and McKee Place.

Construction fencing is expected to remain in place 24/7 until June. 

The contractor will return at a later date to install the new 60-foot bus shelter and transit amenities.

*Electrical conduits recently placed will supply power to future PRTX stations*

Electrical Work to Continue in Uptown and Oakland

PRT’s electrical subcontractor is performing electrical work on Forbes Avenue in Oakland. Crews are placing underground electrical conduits across the roadway that will supply power to the future PRTX stations.

Crews are working on weekdays and will move between the locations listed below over the next few weeks. Work is expected to take a week or two at each location.

The work zones below are all located along Forbes Avenue:

Between Schenley Drive and Schenley Drive Extension (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Between Craft Avenue and Halket Street (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Between Jumonville Street and Birmingham Bridge (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Between Diamond Street and Pride Street (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

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.

New catch basin recently installed at Forbes Avenue and Jumonville Street — *New* *catch basin recently installed at Forbes Avenue and Jumonville Street*

Catch Basin Replacements to Continue in Uptown

PRT’s contractor is replacing catch basins and drainage infrastructure in Uptown. There will be three crews working on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fifth Avenue between Diamond Street and Wyandotte Street.

Crews will replace several catch basins within the work zone. All drainage infrastructure within the limits of the project along Fifth and Forbes avenues will be inspected before catch basins are replaced.

Work will require a partial lane closure providing access to the manhole and/or catch basin on or near the curb. 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 like next bus arrival screens, fare vending machines, seating, lighting, emergency phones and security cameras.

To learn more about the Downtown construction locations, please visit our Downtown web page. Uptown and Oakland will be coming soon.

Thank you for your continued support of this project.

For questions or concerns, please contact brt@rideprt.org or 412-442-2000.