Temporary Work Zone to be Established at Fifth Avenue and Market Street

Temporary Work Zone to be Established at Fifth Avenue and Market Street Downtown

Construction to repair a drainage issue adjacent to the Market Square PRTX station in downtown Pittsburgh will begin on Monday, October 20.

Market Street between Fifth Avenue and Liberty Avenue and Fifth Avenue between Market Street and Liberty Avenue will be closed for approximately three weeks while PRT contractors make repairs to resolve a drainage issue that has been causing water to settle at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street.

Access will be provided to local businesses.

Crews will be on site from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thorough Friday and weekends as needed for approximately three weeks.

Pedestrian and Traffic Impacts

Buses will shift from the bus lane on the right curb into the left lane on Fifth Avenue between Market Square and Liberty Avenue.

Vehicles will not be able to make a right turn from Liberty Avenue onto Fifth Avenue during construction.

Parking will be suspended on Market Street between Liberty and Fifth avenues.

Pedestrian access will be maintained.

Bus routes 61A, 61B, and 61C, 71B, G2 and P1 will not serve the Market Street PRTX Station stop. Riders should use the existing shelter on Liberty Avenue at Market Street.

PRT Implements Pedestrian and Rider Improvements on Fifth Avenue

Earlier today, PRT restored the bus stop at Fifth and Tennyson avenues. This stop was closed while PRT’s contractor replaced the sidewalks and curbs and installed electrical infrastructure for new traffic signals and pedestrian safety systems.

PRT’s contractor recently removed some of the concrete barriers allowing buses to pull directly to the curb. 

Additionally, two temporary sidewalk extenstions were recently installed at Fifth Avenue and University Place (pictured above) and at Fifth Avenue and Atwood Station. ​ 

These sidewalk extensions bump out into the roadway so buses can safely deploy ramps providing riders with mobility devices ADA-compliant sidewalk level boarding.

Station Slab Installation Begins at Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard

PRT’s contractor recently resumed construction in front of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall on Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard after utility companies completed line relocation activities. As part of the University Line construction, utilities must be relocated before PRTX stations can be built.

Contractors have constructed wood frames and placed steel rebar to reinforce concrete for the sidewalk and station slab. Crews will then pour concrete before installing new curbs and ADA-compliant ramps. The current phase of construction is expected to be completed by late fall.

Future phases of construction will include installation of traffic signals and pedestrian safety systems, PRTX stations with transit amenities, and red bus lanes.

Construction Underway at Two Work Zones in Uptown

Construction is progressing within two work areas in Uptown. PRT’s contractors are working on Forbes Avenue, between Gist and Brady streets and on Fifth Avenue, between Pride and Jumonville streets.

Contractors are removing and replacing the existing sidewalk, curbs, and accessible ramps along the corridors. Motorists and pedestrians are urged to use caution and follow signs, as once work is completed on one side of the road, contractors will then move to the opposite side.

Access to all businesses will remain open while work progresses on both Forbes and Fifth avenues.

This phase of construction is expected to continue through the end of the year. 

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.