Listed below are several projects that are currently being completed with the cooperation of regional and statewide planning commissions, local organizations and the Oakland community:
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.
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 Once outdated crosswalks now have pedestrian countdown signals, curb extensions, handicapped ramps, crosswalk delineations, enhanced lighting and new pedestrian islands.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.
As a result of the ongoing statewide shortfall in transportation funding, Port Authority has proposed a 35% service reduction, fare increase and reductions to ACCESS service. If left unaddressed, the service reduction will go into effect on September 2. For access to all currently available information, visit our Transportation Funding Resource Center.
