This summer: Pitt and CMU to be connected with Forbes Ave bike lanes
The countdown is on for the bike lanes and traffic calming that will connect CMU and Pitt in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood. Long a dreadful and sometimes fatal trip, the PennDOT “Betterment Project,” as it’s called will seamlessly connect the two largest universities in the heart of the City’s largest business district outside of Downtown.
For years, Pittsburghers have been pushing for a road safety improvements in the speedy and dangerous Fifth/Forbes business district, and the project is looking to address many of these issues.
The story to this point has been complicated, but we’re nearing the endzone.
Preview the proposed connection
The PennDOT Betterment Project will be repaving Forbes Ave from the Birmingham Bridge to Margaret Morrison. During this repaving process, they plan to upgrade and improve the street at various locations as needed. In tandem, the section of Forbes Ave that bisects CMU, from Craig St to Margaret Morrison, will be rebuilt with a new design that includes bike lanes, traffic signal upgrades and timing, and crosswalks. In short, Forbes will go from a four-lane speedway, to a more human scaled two-lane road, with bike lanes in both directions, that together, will significantly shorten the distance for people crossing Forbes Ave on foot or wheelchair. Additionally, the new design should slow automobile traffic down and create a safer and more attractive neighborhood.
Last year, after a campaign directed at safe bicycling on Forbes in response to the death of Susan Hicks, the City installed bike lanes on Forbes from Bigelow Blvd to Craig St. This project included the City’s first bike signal and contra-flow bike lane, as well as other innovative features like two-stage lefts. The PennDOT project will repave this stretch and make the features permanent.
The upcoming meeting will explain the project in detail as well as provide info on a construction timeline so that people can plan accordingly.
Be sure to check out the project website for up-to-date details.
Public Meeting
Forbes Avenue Betterment Project- Public Meeting #3
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Carnegie Mellon University
Cohon University Center
Rangos 2 – 2nd floor
5 PM – 7 PM
Gulisek Construction, LLC, the Contractor, and Project Partners will host a third public meeting to discuss project management, schedule and safety.
For any questions please contact the Oakland Transportation Management Association: info@otma-pgh.org.
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