Focus of Pittsburgh’s proposed Mon Oakland Connector project changes

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said shortly before taking office in January that the proposed Mon Oakland Connector project would be put on hold pending an internal and independent review from the city controller.

It appears the project would have a much different focus than originally planned if it does move forward.

The project originally sought to connect research hubs in Oakland and Hazelwood by making infrastructure improvements along Oakland’s Junction Hollow Trail, through Greenfield’s Four Mile Run and onto Hazelwood’s Sylvan Avenue. The plans called for upgraded bike infrastructure and a roadway for shuttles — possibly self-driving ones — to ferry passengers.

The road and shuttle plans generated strong opposition from public transit advocates, who said funds should be used to boost Port Authority service in the corridor, and from some Greenfield residents, who opposed a new road through their neighborhood and wanted stormwater issues addressed first.

The road part of the project doesn’t appear to have much support left, according to Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor, who represents the area where the connector would be. O’Connor said he “has not heard anyone talking about moving a road forward in months.”

O’Connor said bike trail upgrades and improvements to Sylvan Avenue likely will remain part of the project, which he suspects will still be referred to as the Mon Oakland Connector. He also suspected that a large part of the funding that had been set aside for the project would now be spent focusing on improving stormwater management in Greenfield’s Four Mile run and the low-lying areas of nearby Schenley Park.

The city had initially planned to spend about $23 million on the Mon Oakland Connector. In December 2020, about $4 million was shifted away from the project to the city’s affordable housing trust fund, support for small businesses and for pedestrian improvements in Hazelwood.

“Mayor Gainey continues to gather information about this project and looks forward to engaging the community,” spokesman Sam Wasserman said.

Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb also is in the process of auditing the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, which managed the Mon Oakland project. Lamb’s office said it expects the audit to be released later this year.