Roadway restoration is underway at Fifth Avenue and Smithfield Street
May 2, 2025
.jpg "Crews recently placed a section of new concrete roadway at Fifth Avenue and Smithfield Street")
PRT’s contactor restored part of the roadway on Fifth Avenue and Smithfield Street in Downtown Pittsburgh last week. Soon, the contractor will return to this location to restore the other half of the roadway.
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 Downton Loop is complete, 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 will be announced soon.
Sidewalk Installation is Underway at Wood Street Station
PRT’s contractor is installing a new sidewalk and curb on the south side of Sixth Avenue between Liberty Avenue and Wood Street, adjacent to the K&L Gates building. In the coming weeks, they will form and pour new accessible ramps.
Last year, the contractor worked on the opposite side of the street adjacent to Wood Street Light Rail Station. Weather permitting, sidewalk restoration on Liberty Avenue will be completed in the next few weeks.
When construction for the University Line is complete, Wood Street PRTX Station will have a new 30-foot bus shelter with transit amenities adjacent to the K&L Gates building.
New Work Zone to be Added in Uptown Next Week
On May 5, PRT’s contractor will begin mobilizing a new work zone on the north side of Fifth Avenue between Diamond and Pride streets. There, they will begin excavation for two new PRTX stations.
Uptown West Station will be located on Fifth Avenue at Washington Place, adjacent to PPG Paints Arena. Pride Street Station will be located on Fifth Avenue at Pride Street.
PRT’s contractor will be installing a new sidewalk with new curbs, and accessible ramps. Electrical crews will be running conduit for future PRTX stations and placing foundations for new traffic signal and pedestrian poles.
The work zone will be protected by a combination of concrete barriers and fencing placed on the north side of Fifth Avenue, occupying one travel lane and a portion of the sidewalk.
The existing parking lane on the south side of Fifth Avenue will become a permanent travel lane, in anticipation of the bus lane installation.
The construction barrier is expected to remain in place 24/7 until fall.
When construction for the University Line is complete, Uptown West and Pride Street stations will both have 30-foot bus shelters with transit amenities.
Electrical Work to Continue in Uptown and Oakland
PRT’s electrical subcontractor is working on Forbes Avenue in Oakland to place underground electrical conduit supplying power to the future PRTX stations.
Crews will be working on weekdays and will move between the locations listed below over the next few weeks. Work is expected to take between one to two weeks 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.
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 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.