Roadwork Begins Along Fifth Avenue in Oakland

Roadwork Begins Along Fifth Avenue in Oakland

Construction on the University Line project will impact traffic patterns and street parking in Oakland and Uptown lasting through the end of April.

PRT contractors placed new roadway paint on March 13 and removed and replaced the concrete barriers with channelizers on March 14. Construction activity will affect traffic on Fifth Avenue between Bellefield Avenue and Robinson Street, Fifth Avenue between Robinson and Wyandotte streets, and Forbes Avenue between Jumonville Street and the Birmingham Bridge.

Construction activities include milling, patching, and paving the roadway while continuing installation of new sidewalks, curbs, and ADA-accessible ramps. Intersections and pedestrian and business access will be maintained throughout the work zones, with flaggers helping direct traffic. PRT will make every effort to maintain bus stops along Fifth and Forbes avenues. However, some bus stops may be temporarily taken out of service or relocated to accommodate construction activities.

Fifth Avenue (between Bellefield Avenue and Robinson Street)

Traffic on Fifth Avenue in Oakland is shifted to the south (left) curb while construction takes place in the two north (right) travel lanes. To maintain three travel lanes in this section of the corridor, drivers are temporarily permitted to use the former counterflow bus lane to travel inbound toward Downtown through the end of April.

Fifth Avenue (between Robinson Street and Wyandotte Street)

In Uptown, traffic is reduced to one inbound travel lane, with an additional left-turn lane at Birmingham Bridge.

Street parking is suspended on both sides of the roadway within the work zone.

Bus stops remain in service but may be shifted up to 100 feet forward or backward to accommodate construction.

Forbes Avenue (from Jumonville Street to Birmingham Bridge)

Traffic on Forbes Avenue is reduced to one outbound travel lane during work hours. Two travel lanes will be restored after work hours.

Kirkpatrick Street Alignment Construction Begins

Earlier this week, excavation began on Kirpatrick Street at Fifth Avenue adjacent to the recently installed residential only parking lot on Kirkpatrick Street.

Work activities include excavating and installing a new travel lane, new curbs, and sidewalks on both sides of Kirkpatrick Street just past the new parking lot. The intersection will also receive new pedestrian and traffic signals.

To accomplish this work, Kirkpatrick Street will be closed periodically in both directions daily between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. through the end of April. Detour signs are posted and flaggers will be on site for drivers and pedestrians. Pedestrian access is being maintained on the opposite side of the street. The bus stop on Fifth Avenue has been moved just past Kirkpatrick Street.

Utility Relocation and Sidewalk Construction Continues in Oakland and Uptown

PRT contractors are visible at multiple locations throughout Forbes and Fifth avenues in Uptown performing sidewalk demolition, utility relocation, and final restoration.

The active work zones extend on Forbes Avenue from Stevenson Street to Jumonville Street and on Fifth Avenue from Kirkpatrick Street to Washington Place. Ultimately, five new PRTX stations will be located on Forbes Avenue and five stations on Fifth Avenue in Uptown.

The active work zones in Oakland include Fifth Avenue in front of the existing Atwood Station and Fifth Avenue at Craft Avenue near Carlow.

Last week, contractors installed new concrete sidewalks and curbs, placed framework for station slabs and ran electrical conduits at multiple locations along Fifth and Forbes avenues.

Crews will be on site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, weather dependent, through the end of April 2026.

Parking has been suspended on both sides of Forbes Avenue between Stevenson Street and Brady Street. Side streets and intersections remain open. Pedestrian access is maintained with temporary crosswalks and accessible ramps.

University Line Project Receives Engineering Awards

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is proud to announce that Phase I of the University Line Project took home two Awards of Excellence from the Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania. The University Line’s Downtown Loop won the category of Transportation, and the Battery Electric Infrastructure Improvements Project, also associated with the BRT project, won in the Energy category.

The annual awards banquet recognizes outstanding individuals and projects in several categories throughout Western Pennsylvania.

The University Line Corridor

When construction for the University Line is complete, there will be 24 PRTX stations throughout Downtown, Uptown, and Oakland. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

PRT continues to work closely with stakeholders including community groups, universities, businesses, and other impacted groups during construction. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

PRTX stations will have new shelters with upgraded amenities, including next-bus arrival screens, fare vending machines, seating, lighting, emergency phones and security cameras. ​ ​ ​

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