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.

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 Once outdated crosswalks now have pedestrian countdown signals, curb extensions, handicapped ramps, crosswalk delineations, enhanced lighting and new pedestrian islands.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.