Developer: City of Pittsburgh
Project summary: The Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) and the University of Pittsburgh are working together to redesign the stretch of Bigelow Boulevard between Fifth and Forbes Avenues. This redesign includes bike/pedestrian safety, a mid-block pedestrian crossing, reconfigured shuttle stops, and storm water catchment.
Pitt stated that it would provide a crossing guard to manage the high volume of pedestrians in an effort to maintain traffic flow and overall safety. Upon conferring with residents throughout the neighborhood and COR, OPDC testified at Art Commission that the crossing guard commitment be formalized via a written contract between the university and the city. At a meeting on August 22, 2018, the Art Commission included the requirement in their final approval of the design.
On March 28 2019, the city received $500,000 to support this project; see the press release.
Construction began in November 2019. Bigelow Boulevard, between Fifth and Forbes Avenues, is currently closed for the duration of the project.
As of December 2019, construction has moved into Phase II, resulting in closure of the outdoor area of the William Pitt Union grounds, the sidewalk on Forbes Avenue, and the edge of the sidewalk on Fifth Avenue. The third and final stage is scheduled to take place from June through October 2020.
Pitt continues to track the progress of construction at the below link. Prominent signs are currently posted communicating the closure to travelers. Click here for more information related to navigating Oakland throughout the span of the project.
October 2020: The crosswalk on Bigelow Boulevard linking the Cathedral of Learning and William Pitt Union will open to pedestrian traffic on October 24, 2020, but vehicles will have to wait. The new raised, mid-block crosswalk is designed to provide a safer pedestrian experience.
In addition, the William Pitt Union grounds, including outdoor seating areas, accessibility ramps and programmable amphitheater will open October 24, 2020.
As of December 24, 2020, the road re-opened to vehicular traffic and the project is complete.
Project resources:
