Installation of Cycle Track in Allegheny Circle to Begin This Week

PITTSBURGH, PA (September 12, 2017) - The City of Pittsburgh Departments of Mobility and Infrastructure and Public Works, in partnership with the Buhl Foundation, are pleased to announce that the installation of a two-way cycle track around Allegheny Circle in Allegheny Center (Northside) is scheduled to begin the week of September 12, 2017. The cycle track will connect existing cycling infrastructure on Federal Street, East Ohio Street, and Ridge Avenue and is the first phase of the proposed reconstruction of Allegheny Circle.

"The failed design of Allegheny Circle as a four-lane, high speed ring road has needed improvements like this for decades," said Mayor William Peduto. "This redesign will further enhance the ongoing transformation of Allegheny Center into a hub for 21st Century infrastructure and development in the Northside. Phase One is a great start and next year we will bring federal funding to the table to complete the transformation of the 'circle' to a multimodal, pedestrian friendly urban street."

Allegheny Circle is currently a four-lane, one-way ring road circling the mid-century redevelopment of Allegheny Center. In 2016, the City of Pittsburgh engaged several stakeholders in the process of planning the conversion of the Allegheny Circle into a neighborhood-scale street that fits more in line with the residential and park infrastructure in the surrounding area.

“This has been a dream of Northsiders for decades,” said Diana Bucco, President of the Buhl Foundation. “The partnership between the City, One Northside, the Northside Leadership Conference and a host of community folks to bring this dream to reality is just another indication that the Northside is on the rise.”

Construction on the project will take place in two phases. Phase One is scheduled to begin this week with the installation of two-way bicycle cycle track on the interior lane of Allegheny Circle. All public parking will be shifted to the exterior curb lane of the circle. This work will include: painting, installation of flexible delineators, parking signage, and signal timing improvements. Work is scheduled to be completed by September 22, 2017.

During installation, commuters should anticipate intermittent lane restrictions and temporary "No Parking" zones throughout the project area starting the week of Tuesday, September 12. The project area includes: Allegheny Circle (North Commons, East Commons, South Commons, West Commons); East Ohio Street from East Commons to Cedar Avenue; Federal Street from North Commons to North Avenue; West Ohio Street/Ridge Road from Merchant Street to West Commons. No permanent closures or detours are required during this Phase.

In 2018, as part of a SMART transportation grant, the project will be completed with the conversion of the Circle to two-way traffic, demolition of traffic islands, replacement of three traffic signals with stop signs and related pedestrian accommodations, including upgrades to the pedestrian crossings at intersections. The goal of the reconstruction project is to transform the highway-like roadway to a more appropriate neighborhood street that reconnects the community and its schools, churches, entertainment facilities, and recreational assets including the city’s bicycle network.

“These improvements will be truly transformative for the entire community on the Northside,” noted Jeremy Leventhal, Managing Partner of Faros Properties, the development firm redeveloping the Allegheny Center. “Allegheny Center has long been isolated by a four-lane highway. We’re thrilled that the community and city have worked to reconnect the streets for pedestrians and bikers with thoughtful and collaborative urban planning.”

The completion of the two-way conversion project will include a series of future public meetings with private and community stakeholders through the course of the next eight months.

The City of Pittsburgh is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Buhl Foundation, Faros Properties and several community stakeholders on the reconstruction project.

The total cost of this initial phase is $80,000. All work is weather permitting.

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