Sidewalk and Curb Installation to Continue at Market Square Station Next Week
September 20, 2024
PRT's contractor is installing new exposed aggregate concrete sidewalks and granite curbs with accessible ramps on Fifth Avenue between Market Street and Liberty Avenue adjacent to Triangle Park.
Construction fencing was recently expanded to include the corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street adjacent to Triangle Park so that contractors can replace the existing curb and accessible ramp at the corner.
When construction for the University Line is complete, Market Square Station will have a 60-foot bus shelter with an ADA compliant loading zone, new sidewalk, and new curb with accessible ramps.
Station amenities will include an emergency phone, security camera(s), seating, lighting, and real-time arrival signs.
To accommodate the new bus shelter and expanded sidewalk, Fifth Avenue between Market Street and Liberty Avenue will be reduced to one travel lane in each direction.
One outbound travel lane is being maintained. The sidewalk remains open across from the work site.
Construction fencing is expected to remain in place 24/7 until late fall.
New Accessible Ramps Placed at Ross Street Station
Earlier this week, PRT's contractor completed the installation of a new sidewalk and accessible ramps for Ross Street Station.
In addition, the contractor was able to reduce the footprint of the construction fencing and reopen the sidewalk for pedestrians. The fencing may need to be re-expanded before the end of the year to accommodate shelter installation.
When construction is complete, Ross Street Station will have a 15-foot bus shelter with an ADA compliant loading zone, new sidewalk, and new curb with accessible ramps.
Station amenities will include an emergency phone, security camera(s), seating, lighting, and real-time arrival signs.
Traffic is being maintained in both directions. The sidewalk remains open across from the worksite.
Construction fencing is expected to remain in place 24/7 until late fall.
.jpg "New traffic signals delivered to Sixth Avenue and Wood Street for installation")
Traffic Signal Installation to Continue Throughout the Downtown Loop
Ultimately, 35 new traffic signals will support the University Line in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Over the past few months, electrical crews have been placing foundations for new traffic signals, erecting poles, running conduit, and installing new traffic signal controller boxes throughout the downtown loop.
Recently, they began hanging new traffic signals. Most of the new signals will be mounted to the poles and wrapped in a burlap tarp until they are put into service.
Additionally, PRT's electrical contractor is installing infrastructure to support the City of Pittsburgh's transit signal priority project, which will be implemented after construction of Phase II of the University Line in Uptown and Oakland is complete.
Over the next week, electrical crews will be working weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:
- Sixth Avenue and Grant Avenue
- Sixth Avenue and Centre Avenue
- Sixth Avenue and Liberty Avenue
- Sixth Avenue and Wood Street
- Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street
- Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue
- Fifth Avenue and Cherry Way
- Fifth Avenue and Wood Street
- Fifth Avenue and Market Street
Each location has additional work to be performed. The contractor will move between locations to help keep the project on schedule.
Pedestrian access will always be maintained; however, some work may require the use of the adjacent parking/travel lane.
Construction Locations for the University Line
PRT's contractor has seven major work zones in downtown Pittsburgh. Five of the locations will be PRTX stations (highlighted in green) and the other two locations are safety improvement zones (highlighted in blue).
When construction for the University Line is complete, there will be five new PRTX stations:
- Ross Street Station
- William Penn Place Station
- Market Square Station
- Wood Street Station
- Steel Plaza Station
Each of these locations will have a new bus shelter with an ADA compliant loading zone, new sidewalk and new granite curb with accessible ramps. Station amenities will include a ticket vending machine, emergency phone, security camera(s), seating, lighting, and new wayfinding signage.
In addition to the five stations, there are two safety improvement sites at:
6. Sixth Avenue (between Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street)
7. Sixth Avenue (between Smithfield Street and William Penn Place)
Both locations will have new expanded sidewalks with granite curbs and accessible ramps improving safety and accessibility along the corridor.
To learn more about each of the current construction locations, please visit our Construction Locations web page.
Thank you for your continued support of this project.
For questions or concerns, please contact brt@rideprt.org or 412-442-2000.