In 2023 the City of Pittsburgh implemented short-term changes to the Wilkins/Beechwood/Linden intersection in an effort to improve sightlines and shorten crossing distances. The work was done in anticipation of a larger Phase 2 project which includes full signal replacement and concrete infrastructure. Phase 2 of the project will be installed in 2026.

This project includes a complete replacement of the traffic signal at the Five Points intersection of Beechwood Blvd, Wilkins Ave and Linden Ave. Additional improvements will expand on the quick-build project from 2023 and install permanent infrastructure to improve safety and operations at this intersection. Improvements planned include:

• New mast arms and pedestrian poles
• 12" LED vehicular signal heads with reflective backplates
• Pedestrian countdown signals
• New ADA ramps and accessible pedestrian signals
• Leading pedestrian intervals
• New westbound left turn lane for Wilkins Ave
• Flashing Yellow Arrow signal heads for left turn lanes
• Concrete bumpouts and shortened pedestrian crossings
• Protected intersection elements for bicycles
• Updated pavement markings

Through the new signal project, DOMI is also considering the following operational change(s) subject to community feedback and discussion

• Making Linden "DO NOT ENTER" from Beechwood, but maintaining two-way traffic on Linden.

This project is currently in design and will be constructed in 2026. Funding was awarded through PennDOT's Municipal Signal Partnership Program, also known as "Green-Light-Go" (80%), and the 2024 City of Pittsburgh capital budget (20%)

Considering feedback from the public meeting on December 5th, 2025 – Linden will remain full access/two-way, and two speed tables will be added to Linden between Fennimore and Light Way

Several questions were asked that fell into one of the overarching questions asked and answered below the revised plans.

• Can DOMI simplify the intersection design from what is proposed?
  • The current intersection design largely formalizes the existing quick-build safety improvements from 2023 that have been successful in slowing turning vehicles and daylighting pedestrians. The proposed design uses protected intersection elements to harden the protection for vulnerable road users, slow right-turning vehicles and minimize potential conflicts using the same proven countermeasures that have been constructed elsewhere in the City. Concrete has been included where appropriate and without impeding emergency vehicles.

• Can DOMI maintain two-way traffic, but disconnect Linden Ave from the rest of the intersection and convert it to a stop sign?
  • This is infeasible without restricting access into or out of Linden. The stop bar on Beechwood cannot be closer to the rest of the intersection because it would restrict the turning movements of larger vehicles and EMS from Wilkins onto Beechwood and subsequent turns into Linden. Because of this, the location on Beechwood where vehicles from Linden would be entering is still considered part of the larger intersection. Vehicles cannot safely enter and travel across the intersection from a stop-controlled approach (if Linden was converted to a stop sign), primarily due to the location of the Southbound (SB) Beechwood stop bar and sight-distance limitations of conflicting traffic. This would create a very unsafe situation for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Linden would have to be right turn only for exiting vehicles and access in would only be from SB Beechwood with the planned bumpouts. Restricting access of Linden is not seen as acceptable based on public feedback.
  • Moving or adding a crosswalk to the SB Beechwood stop bar creates an unsafe situation where turning vehicles have accelerated into the crosswalk before recognizing a pedestrian. The Linden crosswalk is being shortened with concrete bumpouts that improve daylighting of pedestrians. Removing this crosswalk is not in line with DOMI’s Complete Streets policy.

• Can DOMI add Traffic Calming on Linden?
  • DOMI is planning to install two speed tables on Linden Ave between Light Way and Fennimore St to slow traffic through the school zone. This will be a separate project to be completed later this year.

• Can DOMI restore the parking places that are proposed to be removed from Wilkins, east of Beechwood
  • Parking loss is a necessary trade-off for safety-critical operational changes to the Wilkins approach. The existing left turn phase is moving from “leading” to “lagging” to allow the implementation of a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) for pedestrians. In order to lag the existing left turn phase on Wilkins, the turn lane must be opposing/mirrored to avoid a dangerous Yellow Trap situation.

Short-term pedestrian safety improvements were installed at the Five-Points intersection of Beechwood/Wilkins/Linden in 2023. Improvements to the intersection included:

• Painted bumpouts with flexposts/bollards
• Increased bike lane markings including chevrons through intersection

Each design feature is explained on the plan below.