Originally constructed circa 1921, inspection and analysis of the structure has indicated the bridge needs to be replaced. The bridge location and architecture suggest a context sensitive design and coordination with PennDOT for I-376 traffic impacts. It is anticipated that pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular traffic will be rerouted for the full duration of the work.

Slated for completion in early 2011, The Bates Street / Second Avenue improvement project involves replacing and raising the Eliza Furnace Trail Bridge, enhancing Eliza Trail roadway reconstruction, new signage, and altering traffic patterns to a smoother flow of traffic.

The proposed scope of work for the Boulevard of the Allies Betterment includes highway resurfacing with minor structure repairs, drainage improvements, traffic signal upgrades, and ADA accommodations. Intersections will be made ADA compliant and guiderail will be updated to current standards, where necessary. Six structures within the project limits will have various preservation work performed including spall repair, deck sealing, and cleaning/flushing. Overhead sign structures within the project area will also be repaired. The overall limits of the project are the Boulevard of the Allies from the Liberty Bridge to Bates Street.

Inbound Ramp Closures May 31 through June 3, 2019: Northbound Rt. 885 ramp closures to Liberty Bridge/Rt.19/Rt.51 & ramp to Veterans Bridge/I-579 North/I-279 North will occur the weekend of 5/31-6/3 (weather permitting). Detours posted.

Learn more about the project: Nov. 5, 2018 Public Meeting Presentation

The last public meeting on the Forbes Avenue Betterment Project and the Oakland/CMU Forbes Corridor Safety Improvements Project was held March 1, 2018, at Carnegie Mellon University from 5-7pm. Dowload the presentation HERE.

Download the presentation from the Public Meeting held July 17, 2017, download a map of the project area, download the presentation from the August 31, 2016 public meeting, or visit the project microsite for more detail.

In partnership, Carnegie Mellon University and OTMA led a project to build upon past pedestrian safety and mobility improvements in the Oakland area. This study received funding from the Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative (PCTI) to study the main arterials of Forbes and Fifth Avenue which extend through the CMU campus, connecting Oakland to adjoining Eastern Communities. The study applied smart transportation principles to help solve these corridor transportation challenges. Data gathered in the study has assisted in the development of an infrastructure necessary to support multi-modal access including walking, bicycling, transit, and private automobiles.

After four years of planning, design, and engineering, construction began on the Forbes/Fifth Avenue Pedestrian Safety and Mobility Improvement project. Throughout the process, OTMA served as the community outreach organization for Oakland commuters, residents, businesses, and institutions. The determined efforts of committed partners and funders – the University of Pittsburgh, the City of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and OTMA – proved successful in updating 11 high-traffic pedestrian intersections in the Fifth and Forbes corridor.

The updates to these intersections are tremendous. Once outdated crosswalks now have pedestrian countdown signals, curb extensions, handicapped ramps, crosswalk delineations, enhanced lighting and new pedestrian islands. These enhancements have made pedestrians and bikers more visible to motorists – creating a much safer, convenient, and visually appealing neighborhood.

On November 10, 2014, PennDOT announced that the Joncaire Street Steps would be funded through the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) upon being selected as one of 56 projects that improve transportation alternatives. At that time, the project was slated to receive $384,000 for the demolition and rebuilding of the public stairway, for which OTMA was the applicant (submitted July 22, 2014) in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works.

The Joncaire Street Steps (originally 136 stairs) have always been a key connection between Panther Hollow and Central Oakland, however the condition of the original public stairway did not allow for safe use by pedestrians and did not provide accommodations for cyclists. Through the replacement project, improvements to the public stairway would provide multimodal access for bikes and pedestrians alike, encouraging greater use by Oakland residents, as well as students/faculty from the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University; and providing access into Schenley Park and access to the Three Rivers Regional Trail System.

The old steps closed on October 9, 2017 and in late January 2018, Clearwater (the contractor) formed the top, bottom, and path landings, and placed concrete, followed by minimal work in February 2018 while the railing and light poles were fabricated off-site. No closures of Joncaire Street were required, though flaggers were utilized at times to maintain one lane of alternating traffic through the work zone.

The reconstucted steps were completed in Summer 2018. The project's traffic control plans (which included a pedestrian detour) can be found in archives here or click here to read archived news coverage from the Post-Gazette.