Exciting Updates on PRTX University Line Construction: Transforming Oakland and Nearby Neighborhoods

Since January, you might have noticed construction along Pittsburgh’s main roads, especially around Oakland. This work is mainly for the second phase of the PRTX University Line bus route project. As students return to Pitt this fall, there will be some sidewalk closures and other updates around campus.

The new route aims to connect Downtown and Oakland, two major business hubs. It focuses on making public transit more reliable and accessible. Melissa Rubin, the public relations director at PRT, highlights a common problem: bus “bunching.”

“Have you ever been waiting for a bus, and one doesn’t show up for twenty minutes? Then three arrive at once. It’s frustrating!” Rubin said.

To combat this, new bus-only lanes and priority traffic signals are being introduced. This should help buses run on time. “When buses have to share lanes with cars, they can get stuck in traffic. Removing cars from those lanes should make bus travel smoother,” Rubin explained.

Planning for the University Line began over a decade ago, relying heavily on community input and ridership data. By 2027, the project will add 24 new PRTX stations, ensuring modern amenities. These upgrades will include accessible loading zones, fare machines, emergency phones, security cameras, and improved lighting.

Recently, new sidewalks and a crosswalk were unveiled on Forbes Avenue, adjacent to the newly renovated Hillman Library. This crosswalk features an all-way stop, providing pedestrians a safer way to cross.

For cyclists, the new bike lane on Forbes Avenue is marked in bright green. Existing lanes are being adjusted to better serve bikers. Once the University Line is complete, a new bi-directional bike lane will replace the contraflow bus lane along Fifth Avenue.

Currently, some sidewalks on Fifth Avenue are closed for construction. To ease the impact on students, PRT is speeding up construction in key areas. “We’re doing our best to open as many sidewalks as possible,” Rubin shared.

While work continues, Pitt University reminds everyone to be cautious. “Students, especially newcomers, should always use designated crosswalks and obey traffic signals. Buses have big blind spots, so it’s vital to stay alert,” advised Jared Stonesifer, a university spokesperson.

For ongoing updates, students can sign up for the PRTX newsletter or use transit-tracking tools like TrueTime, which provides real-time bus information.

The University Line project will transform transit in Oakland, promising improvements in accessibility and reliability. Rubin believes these changes will benefit everyone. “We’re making it easier for everyone to use the stations,” she said.

In summary, although the construction might be inconvenient for now, it’s paving the way for a more efficient and user-friendly transit system in Pittsburgh.



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campus construction,PRT,Transportation,university line