Port Authority Modifies Beechview Rail Project in Response to Community Concerns
Port Authority has changed its rail replacement project in Beechview to accommodate more residential parking on Broadway Avenue during construction and limit impact to local businesses. Work still would be completed in one construction season.
The project now will be completed in two main sections to ease the impact on residents and businesses along Broadway Avenue. The change essentially will provide more on-street parking opportunities during construction, only impact the business district for half of the project period and still complete all construction in six months rather than two years. The change comes after discussions with members of the community and elected officials who represent Beechview. Since awarding the contract, the Authority has worked closely with its contractor, Michael Facchiano Contracting, Inc. on an alternative plan to lessen the impact of this important project.
“We heard loud and clear from the community and its elected leaders about the desire to address these key concerns in our work plan,” said Port Authority CEO Ellen McLean. “This change ensures there will be more on-street parking options for residents and less impact on businesses. The entire project still will be completed in one construction season rather than two.”
The change offers the following community benefits:
- More residential parking: Construction will not occur on the entire length of Broadway Avenue at the same time. Street closures now will start at the ends of Broadway Avenue while a section in the middle of Beechview will not start until the other “end” sections are complete. This creates more on-street parking opportunities during the work.
- Less business impact: Work in the business area will be consolidated and is expected to be completed within three months – not the entire six-month project period.
- Still six-month completion: The entire project still will be completed in 180 days (six months) as originally planned, and not have to be stretched over two years.
The project change comes after weeks of discussions about parking issues and other concerns with members of the community and elected officials, including Senator Wayne D. Fontana, Representative Daniel Deasy, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, County Council Member James Ellenbogen, Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto and City Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak.
The tracks through Beechview carry the Red Line, which provides service daily to about 12,000 riders between the South Hills, Downtown and the North Shore. The section of tracks in Beechview, which is embedded in the middle of Broadway Avenue, has reached the end of its useful life and has required numerous costly repairs in the last several years.
Work is scheduled to start on March 27th and will continue for six months. Work will occur Monday through Saturday from 6 am to 11 pm. The Authority still is seeking approvals from the city, which must review the work schedule and traffic impact.
The Authority will host a community meeting at 7 pm at St. Catherine of Siena in Beechview on Feb. 18th to present project information and answer questions.
In addition, Port Authority will provide a financial incentive for the contractor to finish ahead of schedule and place four “crossovers” where pedestrians can safely cross through the work zone on Broadway Avenue. Vehicles are able to use two of the crossovers.
The Authority also will maintain one parking lane on Broadway Avenue in the heart of Beechview’s business district and two travel lanes (one in each direction) through the entire work zone. A city lot also provides some parking near businesses and will remain open. Additional weekday parking is being made available in marked spaces at St. Catherine of Siena along Broadway Avenue.
Light rail riders will have multiple commuting options during the work, including a rail shuttle that connects to the Blue Line, a bus shuttle that will operate alongside the construction zone through Beechview and a bus connection from Mt. Lebanon Station to Downtown via West Liberty Avenue.
