Although this doesn’t include any new accommodations for bicyclists, a rapidly growing constituency in Pittsburgh, it’s going to begin to transform Oakland into a safer, much more walkable neighborhood.

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by Jennifer Baron, Pop City Media
February 13, 2008

A $1.5 million pedestrian and roadwork project will begin this spring at 11 intersections along Oakland's Fifth and Forbes corridors.

Funded via Hometown Streets and Safe Routes to School, the project calls for new pedestrian interval signals, striping, LED lights and ADA ramps. “The premise is to improve pedestrian safety and mobility. It's good for business, institutions and people who work here, and an investment in maintaining the district's vitality,” says Ronald Liebow, with University of Pittsburgh. “We're adding bump-outs, which creates a greater real estate for crossing. We'll restore pedestrian access every day so people don't lose foot traffic in front of their shops.”

Work will take place during evening hours and be completed by the winter of 2008. Project designer is Strada; engineer is Wilbur Smith Associates. On Fifth Ave., new bus lane demarcations and a 630-foot steel bus railing will be added to a dense section near Children's Hospital's primary care center, and traffic-calming greenery will be added to a triangular concrete island.

“Our mission is to help mitigate congestion and educate people about carpooling, air quality and pedestrian safety,” adds Mavis Rainey, with Oakland Transportation Management Association. “The institutions want to see this area continue to grow. Oakland is Pennsylvania’s third most congested region. Several state roads go through Oakland. It's a very busy, dense area, and also a neighborhood and workplace with cultural and retail amenities. The goal is to make Oakland more livable.”

Oakland is populated by more than 120,000 people and 50,000 vehicles every week; the 1.2-square-mile neighborhood is home to 20,000 residents.

Writer: Jennifer Baron
Sources: Ronald Liebow, University of Pittsburgh; Mavis Rainey, Oakland Transportation Management Association