University Line Construction to Impact Traffic Patterns Along Fifth and Forbes Avenues

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

Beginning Friday, March 13, new work zones will be established along the corridor. 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.

PRT’s contractors will mill, patch, and pave the roadway while continuing installation of new sidewalks, curbs, and ADA-accessible ramps.

Intersections and pedestrian 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 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.

Fifth Avenue (between Robinson Street and Wyandotte Street)

In Uptown, 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.

Bus stops in this zone will 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 will be reduced to one outbound travel lane during work hours. Two travel lanes will be restored after work hours.

Green Infrastructure Installation Continues in Uptown

PRT’s contractor continues to install green infrastructure (GI) systems throughout Uptown which will collect storm water runoff from the streets and sidewalks allowing pollutants to filter out as the water infiltrates slowly into the ground rather than overload the combined sewer system. ​

Ultimately, GI will be installed at 18 locations as part of the University Line project. Thirteen locations will have underground GI storage trenches, which will not be visible once construction is complete. Five locations will have bioswales, commonly known as rain gardens, with both underground infrastructure and visible above ground plantings. ​

Storage tanks/below ground stormwater retention ponds range from the size of a car to a 60-foot articulated (bends in the middle) bus, and from 8-12 feet deep (deeper than a swimming pool) and will be located in the following areas:

Bioswales/above ground stormwater retention ponds will be located at: ​ ​

Crews excavate these locations and create a frame for the bioswales. A sub-base of gravel and organic matter is placed in the trench before a final layer of vegetation is applied. These layers will slow the water infiltration and filter out pollutants. ​

Sidewalk Demolition and Restoration Underway in 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.

New sidewalks were completed and barriers were removed on Forbes Avenue between Jumonville and Seneca Street in December 2025.

The contractors will relocate water and sewer infrastructure and run conduit for station power and pedestrian safety systems. After utilities are relocated, contractors are installing new sidewalks, curbs, and accessible ramps. When construction is complete, new sidewalks will be installed along nearly the entire length of Fifth and Forbes avenues in Uptown.

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

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

New Infrastructure Placed at Fifth Avenue and Lothrop Street

PRTs contractor has completed installation of granite curb and sidewalk drainage on Fifth Avenue between Lothrop and Darragh streets. The next step will be to pour new concrete sidewalks and place accessible ramps. The granite curb is made of custom fabricated blocks to fit the location of the installation. Prior to the granite installation, crews placed a new concrete footer to support the curb.

Electrical Work Progressing Throughout the University Line

PRT’s electrical subcontractors are running conduits along Fifth and Forbes avenues in Uptown to Oakland for new traffic signal poles, controller boxes, pedestrian safety systems, and station power to support upgraded amenities such as lighting, next bus arrival screens, security cameras and emergency phones.

Electrical connections are identifiable by the orange fencing around the station slabs which provide a safety barrier between pedestrians and the exposed electrical conduit.

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. ​