On Monday, December 9th, at 6:00 PM the City shared pre-construction information about the North Avenue Signals and Safety Project at a community meeting held at the Allegheny Center Alliance Church Chapel (801 Union Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15212) and via ZOOM,

If you were not able to attend the meeting you can review the recording here:

Meeting slides are also available for review below:

The purpose of the North Avenue Signals and Safety Project is to update traffic signal infrastructure and improve safety for pedestrians, drivers, and transit users along North Avenue. Traffic signal upgrades will include higher visibility signals with back plates, controllers, communication hardware, and radar detection. Pedestrian accommodations include pedestrian countdown signals, audible push buttons, curb extensions/bumpouts, mid-block crossings, and ADA ramps. There is a long-term need for updated infrastructure with improved safety and accessibility along this corridor.

Traffic Signal upgrades are planned for the following:

• North Ave & Arch St
• North Ave & Federal St
• North Ave & Sandusky St
• North Ave & Cedar St

Pedestrian safety improvements will also occur at the following un-signalized intersections:

• North Ave & Reddour St
• North Ave & Boyle St
• North Ave & Linden
• North Ave & Middle St

Figure 1 - Project Location Map

Figure 2 - Project Crash Data

*Federal at North has the highest frequency of crashes in the corridor.

Recommended Alternative

The selected alternative focuses on enhancing pedestrian safety and better transit reliability throughout the corridor. Key elements include:

• Road Diet- Maintain one through-lane in each direction between Arch and Cedar plus a left-turn lane
• Intersection Bump-outs- Reduce crossing distances by up to 30%
• Bus Pullouts w/ Que-jumping technology - Reduce bus blockages while boarding and reduce delays
• On-street Parking - Addition of on-street parking spaces to buffer southern sidewalk from live traffic
• Traffic Signal Upgrades - Upgraded infrastructure at Arch, Federal, Sandusky, Cedar and James Streets. Traffic Signal coordination will be provided from Arch Street to James street along North Ave.

Project Schedule:

Construction is anticipated to start in October 2024 and be completed in June 2026

Overview:

During the first couple months, the contractor will install the concrete median area as well as miscellaneous signal infrastructure. During this time, one travel lane in each direction will be maintained.*

* March 2025 Update: The North Avenue project team has observed bad driver behavior through the work zone including speeding, distracted driving, etc. This bad driver behavior, has resulted in vehicles running over cones/channelizers and entering into our active work zones. In order to keep these crews safe, DOMI has modified the work area through this corridor. Unfortunately, this change will result in the loss of parking along North Ave from Arch St to Sandusky for this stage of construction.

After the median area is complete, the intersection bump-out work on the southern side of North Avenue will be installed. During this time, the eastbound travel lane will be maintained. Impacts to westbound traffic are anticipated during working hours and will require the detour shown below in purple.

After the bump-out work on the southern side of North Avenue is installed, the intersection bump-out work on the Northern side of North Avenue will be installed. During this time, the eastbound travel lane will be maintained. Impacts to westbound traffic are anticipated during working hours and will require the detour shown below in purple.

Once the bump-out work is completed, the corridor will be paved and the new traffic signals will be energized.

Detour Information:

Vehicular Detour - while constructing the intersection bump-outs along North Avenue, a detour will be required for westbound traffic. This detour will only be required during working hours. Eastbound traffic will be maintained at all times.

Pedestrian Detour - while constructing the intersection bump-outs along North Avenue, pedestrian detours will be required. Construction will only occur on one corner of an intersection at a time in order to minimize impacts to pedestrian traffic.