Roadwork Progresses Along Fifth Avenue ​

Crews place steel re-enforcement prior to restoring a section of Fifth Avenue in ​ Oakland ​

Roadwork Progresses Along Fifth Avenue

Roadway reconstruction along Fifth Avenue from Bellefield Avenue to Kirkpatrick Street is underway and is expected to continue through the end of April. ​ ​ ​

Construction activities include milling, patching, and paving the roadway. New road will be installed nearest to the future PRTX Stations while other sections will be milled and paved. ​ ​

In addition to the road work, contractors continue installation of new sidewalks, curbs, and ADA-accessible ramps. ​

Intersections along with pedestrian and business access will be maintained throughout the construction zone. Flaggers will help 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. ​ ​

Traffic on Fifth Avenue between Bellefield Avenue and Robinson Street in Oakland will shift 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 will be permitted to use the former counterflow bus lane to travel inbound toward Downtown through the end of April. ​

In Uptown between Robinson and Wyandotte streets, traffic will be reduced to one inbound travel lane, with an additional left-turn lane at Birmingham Bridge. ​ ​

Street parking will be suspended on both sides of the roadway within the work zone. ​

Traffic on Forbes Avenue from Jumonville Street to Birmingham Bridge will be reduced to one outbound travel lane during work hours. Two travel lanes will be restored after work hours. ​

Traffic and Light Pole Installation Underway

Installation of traffic signal poles, pedestrian safety signal poles, and decorative lighting is underway throughout the University Line corridor of Fifth and Forbes avenues. ​

In addition to the lights installed on Fifth and Schenley avenues, light poles and traffic poles continue to be installed on Fifth and Forbes avenues in Uptown.

When construction for the University Line is complete, 42 intersections will be modernized with new traffic signals and pedestrian safety systems.

Kirkpatrick Street Realignment Construction Continues

Excavation of Kirpatrick Street at Fifth Avenue is in full swing as contractors realign the road with the entrance of the Birmingham Bridge.

Work activities include excavating and installing new travel lanes, curbs, and sidewalks from Fifth Avenue up to Beelen Street. The intersection will also receive new pedestrian and traffic signals. ​

To accomplish this work, Kirkpatrick Street closed between Fifth Avenue and Beelen Street starting April 6 and is expected to last approximately two weeks. Detour signs are posted and flaggers are on site to help direct traffic and pedestrians. The sidewalk on the western side (nearest town) of Kirkpatrick Street will remain open until it is replaced later this month. The bus stop on Fifth Avenue has been moved to just past Kirkpatrick Street. ​

The construction activity is adjacent to the recently installed residential only permit parking lot on Kirkpatrick Street. The parking lot is expected to open for residents after the new roadway is completed.

Utility Relocation and Sidewalk Construction Continues in Oakland and Uptown

PRT contractors are visible at many 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. On Monday, April 6, contractors initiated a new work zone on Forbes Avenue between Boyd and Stevenson streets. Ultimately, five new PRTX stations will be located on Forbes Avenue and five stations on Fifth Avenue in Uptown. ​

The active sidewalk work zones in Oakland include Fifth Avenue in front of the existing Atwood Station and at Fifth and Craft avenues. ​

Contractors continue to install new concrete sidewalks and curbs, place framework and install future station slabs, and run electrical conduit. Excavation for new tree pits has begun in anticipation for future tree plantings. While some trees will be removed as part of the University Line Project, more trees will be planted than what is removed. ​ ​ ​

Crews will be on site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and an occasional Sunday, weather dependent.

Parking has been suspended on both sides of Forbes Avenue between Boyd and Brady streets. Access to businesses, parking lots and garages, side streets and intersections will remain open. Pedestrian access will be maintained with temporary crosswalks and accessible ramps.

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.