News Summary

The Pittsburgh Regional Transit is launching the second phase of the University Line Bus Rapid Transit Project, resulting in traffic disruptions in Oakland. North Bouquet Street will be closed for reconstruction, coinciding with a complete shutdown of the Parkway East. Travelers should prepare for increased congestion and delays while alternative detour routes are in place. The $99.8 million project aims to enhance transit efficiency and accessibility with new amenities and upgrades across Oakland and Uptown, impacting bus routes until projected completion in 2027.

Pittsburgh

The second phase of Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s University Line Bus Rapid Transit Project will commence this weekend, leading to significant traffic delays and construction disruptions in the Oakland neighborhood. North Bouquet Street, from Fifth Avenue to O’Hara Street, will be closed until 6 a.m. Monday for necessary reconstruction and line painting. This closure coincides with a complete shutdown of the Parkway East, further complicating traffic routes through the area.

Travelers are advised to expect increased congestion on Forbes Avenue, which will serve as a primary detour route during the weekend. Despite the construction, Fifth Avenue and Forbes Avenue bus routes will continue to operate on schedule, with flaggers present to aid in traffic flow. However, limited construction on Forbes Avenue will also occur from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., for line painting from Craft Avenue to Schenley Drive Extension.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit recommends that all travelers leave earlier than usual and prepare for delays to reduce frustration during this period of heavy construction. The University Line project, which is part of a $99.8 million contract, includes the construction of 18 new stations equipped with amenities such as fare-vending machines and real-time bus arrival displays. Additionally, it will involve upgrading 39 intersections in Oakland and Uptown to be ADA-compliant, complete with curb ramps and pedestrian countdown signals.

Alongside these upgrades, the project will introduce new sidewalks, trees, and streetlights in both the Oakland and Uptown neighborhoods. Construction on the University Line is projected to continue until late 2027, impacting various bus routes throughout this timeframe. Future work will see construction shift to Fifth Avenue later this year, with more extensive construction slated to begin in early 2026.

The entire University Line project has an estimated budget of approximately $291 million, designed to improve transit efficiency between Downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland. Once funding becomes available, Pittsburgh Regional Transit plans to extend the transit system to Highland Park, Greenfield, and McKeesport, enhancing connectivity across the region.

Local residents, including students like Anthony Schiro, have expressed concerns regarding the ongoing construction and the accompanying disruptions. Public meetings are planned to inform the community about the progress of the construction and its effects on local traffic patterns, ensuring that residents are kept in the loop as the project unfolds.

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Additional Resources

• CBS News: Pittsburgh Regional Transit Oakland Construction
• Wikipedia: Pittsburgh
• Union Progress: Work on Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s University Line
• Google Search: Pittsburgh Regional Transit University Line
• Post-Gazette: PRT Oakland University Line Construction Closures
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Pittsburgh Public Transit
• WTAE: Pittsburgh Regional Transit University Line Construction Project
• Google News: Pittsburgh Regional Transit

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