In a press release this afternoon, Pittsburgh's Department of Mobility and Infrastructure unveiled the latest Downtown bicycle facilities project consisting of multimodal street upgrades and a two-way dedicated bicycle track that runs on Stanwix Street from Third Avenue to Penn Avenue, down Penn Avenue and Liberty Avenue to the intersection of Commonwealth Place to connect the existing bicycle network to Point State Park.

This new infrastructure connects the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, Point State Park, Point Park University, and a significant portion of the Golden Triangle businesses to a dedicated bike track. The new bicycle track is indicated by the dashed orange line in the map above.

This phase of the project has been in development since 2015 with design in 2018 and construction that began in June this year. The project includes enhanced signing and pavement markings, a sidewalk extension bus platform, curb and sidewalk restoration, and roadway milling and resurfacing. The bicycle track runs over two raised bus platforms to help transit riders safely access buses without vehicles having to obstruct the bicycle track.

Finishing touches will be completed throughout November to add traffic signal updates and associated electrical work. Users are advised to follow the temporary instructional signage until these installations are complete.

The project provides a connection through Downtown for already-existing bicycle infrastructure to promote the safety of all commuters, including the estimated 1,100 bicycle commuters and those using the tracks for recreation. The multimodal road improvements promote the safety of all commuters whether they are public transit riders, vehicle operators, bicyclists, or pedestrians.

The new bicycle track also connects to the Great Allegheny Passage – a hiking and bicycle trail that runs 150 miles between the Point and Maryland – which brings thousands of people to Pittsburgh each year. The new connection now allows trail users to safely access and navigate Downtown Pittsburgh.

DOMI worked with agency and community partners including PennDOT, BikePGH, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and Friends of the Riverfront. The project's construction cost of $758,746 included design by Mackin Engineering Company, construction management by Michael Baker International, and prime contracting by A. Merante Contracting.

A PDF containing additional information about the project and a trail connection map can be found on the City of Pittsburgh's project website.

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Source: City of Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure