Advisory for cyclists currently using the Bus Lane to get into Oakland. Things are about to change and get potentially much more dangerous for you. Bike Pittsburgh is still working with various stakeholders to try to get a legal and safe way into Oakland and will continue to update you on our progress.

NEW FIFTH AVENUE RAMP TO BOULEVARD OF THE ALLIES OPENS NOV. 27 IN OAKLAND

Pittsburgh, PA (Nov. 20, 2007) @ PennDOT District 11 is advising motorists that the new on-ramp connecting inbound traffic (westbound toward downtown Pittsburgh) on Fifth Avenue to the Boulevard of the Allies (Route 885) in the Oakland area of the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will open to traffic at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007.

To allow the media a first-hand view of the new ramp and traffic pattern changes, PennDOT will hold media walk-through tour at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26, before the ramp opens to traffic. Media representatives should take Fifth Avenue from Oakland and park in the closed area on the new ramp (left side of roadway).

The new ramp creates a dramatic safety and mobility improvement by directly connecting Fifth Avenue to the Boulevard of the Allies and eliminating the contra-flow lane currently in use on Forbes Avenue. When the new ramp opens at 11 p.m. on Nov. 27, the contra-flow lane will be closed permanently and removed. The new ramp also represents a significant change in Oakland traffic patterns. Motorists attempting to access the Boulevard previously had to travel in a single lane on Forbes Avenue. Instead, motorists will now continue inbound on Fifth Avenue entering a left turn lane crossing the bus lane to enter the Boulevard of the Allies (see attached map). PennDOT urges motorists to be prepared for the change and use caution when traveling through the area.

The work is part of the $29 million project to replace the Route 885 Boulevard of the Allies Bridge that includes the demolition and reconstruction of the mainline bridge over Forbes Avenue, the replacement of south and north ramps with new roadway ramps and the elimination of the contra-flow traffic lane on Forbes Avenue. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2008.

The Boulevard of the Allies Bridge is scheduled to close for replacement the evening of January 3, 2008. A public meeting to discuss details of the closure and detour routes will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 12, 2007, in the Univeristy of Pittsbrugh's Alumni Hall in the Connelly Ballroom at 4227 Fifth Avenue.

The prime contractor for the project is the Joseph B. Fay Co. of Russellton, PA.

For more info and virtual images of the project, visit www.otma-pgh.org. Visit www.dot.state.pa.us/district11 for more information on PennDOT District 11.