Bigelow Boulevard Redesign Public Meeting Thurs. Nov. 9

bigelow

Big Plans for Bigelow Boulevard 

The City and the University of Pittsburgh are continuing with their plans to remake the Oakland neighborhood of the City. Several safety improvements have been installed over the past few year that have wrestled the streets from Oakland’s notorious auto domination, with more to come.

Over the summer, interim bike lanes were installed on Forbes Ave and Bigelow Blvd, in the heart of the University of Pittsburgh’s campus. In response to the death of Pitt employee, Susan Hicks, killed while riding her bike home from work, the City of Pittsburgh fast-tracked a design solution for Forbes Ave between Craig St and Bigelow Blvd, and for Bigelow itself, that includes a contra-flow bike lane, a bicycle signal, and two-stage turns.

These lanes are considered interim for two reasons. First, PennDOT plans to repave Forbes Ave (from the Birmingham Bridge to Margaret Morrison) in 2018, and will permanently reinstall the interim bike lanes, as well as extend them eastward through CMU’s campus to Margaret Morrison. Second, last year, the City installed bike lanes on Bigelow Blvd, except for the complicated block between Fifth and Forbes. This year, they connected the bike lanes, but on an interim basis, under the agreement with the University to completely rethink how this block can better serve the multiple competing interests.

This block of Bigelow lies in the heart of the University, and is the primary connections for students between the William Pitt Union and the Cathedral of Learning, the two most active buildings on campus. However, thousands of students a day cross mid-block, battling the automobiles who are using Bigelow as a cut through. Additionally, the street has parking, shuttle bus pickup and drop off, and now bike lanes. To complicate things further, the University frequently shuts down the block during the school year for campus events.

So here we are, with the first meeting that will attempt to figure out how balance the multiple needs of this contentious block of the City, and make it safer for the thousands of pedestrians who cross it daily.

Join the City of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh for a community forum to learn about the planned improvements for Bigelow Boulevard and offer feedback and input.

Save the Date

Bigelow Boulevard Complete Streets Improvements (two identical sessions offered)

WHEN: Thursday, November 9, 2017
3:30 pm and 6:00 pm

WHERE: Oakland Career Center
294 Semple Street
Pittsburgh, PA, 15213


Feeling inspired? There are plenty of ways to get involved with BikePGH! Check out our upcoming volunteer opportunities and join the community that advocates for safer streets in Pittsburgh.

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