Work on new bus stations will change traffic, bus stops in Oakland

Major traffic and bus changes are in store for this week in Oakland, where the next phase of construction for Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s University Line begins Monday.

Crews will begin work Monday and Tuesday on four new stations for the $291 million Bus Rapid Transit system to provide more reliable service between Oakland and Downtown Pittsburgh. When the system is finished in 2027, it will feature exclusive bus lanes inbound on Fifth Avenue and outbound on Forbes Avenue, a series of new traffic signals and new stations with more amenities for riders.

Work begins Monday on Forbes Avenue between Jumonville and Brady streets to relocate water and sewer lines; build wider sidewalks with curbs to improve access for people with disabilities; and install wiring for new stations, traffic signals and pedestrian safety devices. The same type of work begins Tuesday between Pride and Jumonville streets on Fifth Avenue.

Crews will work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. When the work is done at the end of the year, four new stations will be installed.

Two travel lanes will remain open during evening rush hours from 3 to 6 p.m. Street parking will remain available on the left side of Forbes Avenue, opposite the work area, between Jumonville and Brady except for evening rush hours.

Parking will be suspended on both sides of Fifth Avenue in the work zone.

Side streets, intersections and pedestrian access will remain available during the work.

On Forbes Avenue, bus stops for the 61A, B and C at Jumonville, Seneca and Moultrie will not be available, but temporary stops will be added on Jumonville at Watson, and on the Fifth Avenue bus lane at Seneca and Moultrie.

All existing stops on Fifth Avenue for the 61A, B and C and 71B will remain open.

Other road construction changes this week include:

• Curry Hollow Road – Single-lane restrictions will begin at 7 a.m. Monday between Green Drive and Arbor Lane in Pleasant Hills and will last until Oct. 10. Additionally, left turns will not be allowed from Curry Hollow to Green Drive or from Green to Curry Hollow. The restrictions will allow crews to install sanitary sewer manholes and service lines. Detours will be posted. The work is part of a $28.2 million project to improve Curry Hollow and Lebanon Church roads in West Mifflin, Pleasant Hills, Baldwin Borough and South Park Township over the next three years.
• Route 28 1 – Traffic will be restricted for more work on a series of ramps over the next two weeks starting Monday as part of construction of the warning system for drivers going the wrong way on the highway. Overnight closures will occur from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. northbound at the Fleming Bridge/Sharpsburg exit through Friday and at the 31^st Street Bridge exit through Oct. 3. Detours will be posted. Intermittent traffic stoppages will occur during the same hours Monday through Friday this week at the northbound ramps at Chestnut Street, the 40^th Street Bridge, the 31^st Street Bridge, Millvale, Etna and the Highland Park Bridge and southbound ramps at Interstate 279 North/East Ohio Street, Fox Chapel Road/Waterworks Drive/Freeport Road and Harmar/Pennsylvania Turnpike/Route 910. The $4.8 million system should begin operating early next year.
• Route 28 2 – Bridge-washing activities will require single-lane restrictions from Monday through Oct. 1 on the following schedule. On weekdays washing will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. between the Harmar/Pennsylvania Turnpike/Route 910 and Freeport/Millerstown interchanges. On weeknights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., washing will occur between the RIDC Park and Harmar/Pennsylvania Turnpike/Route 910 interchanges.
• Streets Run Road – Crews will begin a series of drilling operations Monday in Pittsburgh and Baldwin Borough, resulting in single-lane alternating traffic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays between Glass Run Road and Route 51 through Oct. 10.
• Interstate 279 – Traffic shifts and restrictions will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday while crews inspect the southbound ramp to Reedsdale Street.
• Interstate 79 – Shoulder restrictions will continue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays through late October for ramps that connect Route 60 and the Parkway West with the interstate. Crews are finishing work on the $15 million project from the Parkway West Airport/Pittsburgh interchange to approximately one-half mile north of the Route 60 Moon Run/Crafton interchange.
• Neville Island Bridge – Bridge inspection work will cause single-lane restrictions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day but Thursday this week on the bridge on Interstate 79 in Robinson, Neville Township and Glenfield. Work will occur on Monday and Tuesday on northbound I-79, Wednesday on southbound I-79 and Friday on Route 65 under the bridge.
• McKnight Road – Intermittent single-lane restrictions will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday between Venture Street on Pittsburgh’s North Side and Perrymont Road in McCandless while crews do finishing work on a $27 million improvement project.