University Line Construction to Impact Traffic on Sixth and Centre Avenues Saturday

Traffic detour and roadway closures for Saturday, November 16th
Traffic detour and roadway closures for Saturday, November 16th

Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s contractor will perform roadway restoration on Sixth Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh, Saturday, November 16th from 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

During that time, Sixth Avenue will be closed at Bigelow Square and Fifth Avenue. Centre Avenue will be closed to general traffic at Washington Place.

The contractor will maintain access to Chatham Square Garage and Mellon Service Center Garage. Safety personnel will direct traffic.

New granite curb recently placed at Sixth Avenue and Wood Street
New granite curb recently placed at Sixth Avenue and Wood Street

Granite Curb Installation to Continue at Wood Street Station

PRT’s contractor continues to install new granite curb at Sixth Avenue and Wood Street, adjacent to Wood Street Station. In addition, the entire station will have new exposed aggregate concrete sidewalks with accessible ramps. ​ 

When construction for the University Line is complete, the sidewalk adjacent to the K&L Gates building will be expanded to accommodate the new 30-foot PRTX bus shelter with an ADA compliant loading zone. Station amenities will include an emergency phone, security camera(s), seating, lighting, and real-time arrival signs. 

The sidewalk remains open across from the work site. Construction fencing is expected to remain in place until the end of the year.

Crews pouring concrete to support the new curb at Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street
Crews pouring concrete to support the new curb at Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street

Construction to Continue at Sixth Avenue and Smithfield Street

The PRT contractor is currently working on Sixth Avenue between Smithfield Street and William Penn Place. ​ 

While this is not the site of a future PRTX station, construction at this location will improve safety and accessibility with wider sidewalks and accessible ramps.

The PRT contractor poured a new concrete footer to accommodate the expanded sidewalk. In the coming weeks, they will place new granite curb, exposed agregate concrete sidewalk, and accessible ramps.

This intersection has been modernized to include ADA complaint curb ramps and cross walks, new traffic signals and lighting, accessible pedestrian signals with push button activators, and illuminated pedestrian countdown signals. 

Mellon Square garage remains accessible, and the sidewalk remains open across from the work site. ​ 

Construction fencing is expected to remain in place until late fall.

Crews pouring a concrete footer to support the new curb on Sixth Avenue near Diamond Street
Crews pouring a concrete footer to support the new curb on Sixth Avenue near Diamond Street

Preperation for curb installation to continue at Sixth Avenue and Diamond Street

PRT’s contractor is working on Sixth Avenue between Fifth Avenue and Diamond Street (adjacent to the Allegheny County Family Division Building).

While this is not a PRTX station location, the new infrastructure will improve safety and accessibility for everyone.

The contractor poured a new concrete footer at this location to accommodate the expanded sidewalk. In the coming weeks, the contractor will place new granite curbs and sidewalks at this location to improve safety and accessibility.

Two-directional traffic is being maintained. The sidewalk remains open across from the work site.

Construction fencing is expected to remain in place 24/7 until the end of the year.

Map of current work areas
Map of current work areas

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:

  1. Ross Street Station
  2. William Penn Place Station
  3. Market Square Station
  4. Wood Street Station
  5. Steel Plaza Station

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.

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Pittsburgh Regional Transit, formerly Port Authority of Allegheny County, is the nation’s 26th largest transit agency. Our 2,600 employees operate, maintain, and support bus, rail, and incline service in the Pittsburgh metro area.

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