The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded a $149.9 million construction grant to Pittsburgh Regional Transit for the new Downtown-Uptown-Oakland bus rapid transit (BRT) line. Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland BRT project will provide fast, convenient transit for residents and commuters along a heavily congested corridor from downtown Pittsburgh to Oakland.
"Americans rely on public transit every day to get to work, go to school and connect with loved ones," said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "The Biden Administration's investment in the new Downtown-Uptown-Oakland bus rapid transit line will help commuters in Pittsburgh get where they’re going quickly and safely while reducing congestion and pollution."
The BRT project will improve the travel experience for riders with dedicated bus-only lanes, traffic lights that will automatically turn green and faster, more friendly boarding. It also will create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly environment with new bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure. With a bus arriving every five minutes during peak periods, 22 hours a day, it will provide new options to get to the Hill district, Oakland and the Central Downtown area. More than 40,000 riders per day used the current bus options in the communities served by the expected BRT.
"The Downtown-Uptown-Oakland BRT line will improve transit speed and reliability on one of the highest transit ridership corridors in Pittsburgh," said FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. "We are pleased to support this project that will better connect communities to jobs and education."
FTA is providing $149.9 million to the 7.1-mile Downtown-Uptown-Oakland BRT, which is estimated to cost $291 million. The funding comes from FTA's Capital Investment Grants program, which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects.
Downtown Pittsburgh and the uptown neighborhood represent Pennsylvania's second and third largest job centers. The Downtown-Uptown-Oakland BRT will provide access to approximately 232,000 jobs, the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, Carnegie Mellon University and several hospitals, arenas and cultural venues. Further development is planned through a local Eco-Innovation District plan for the Uptown-Oakland neighborhoods, which was partially funded using an FTA Transit Oriented Development planning grant.
