Pittsburgh City Council approves $12.8M allocation for Bus Rapid Transit project

Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday allocated $12.8 million to Port Authority of Allegheny County’s proposed Bus Rapid Transit project.

Port Authority has touted the BRT project as a “high-quality, bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable and cost-effective services via dedicated lanes and frequent operations.”

The plan for the Downtown-Uptown-Oakland-East End Bus Rapid Transit service includes a core route running east and west between Downtown and Oakland, with three branches traveling to Greenfield and Highland Park and through several Mon Valley communities.

Pittsburgh’s $12.8 million contribution is a fraction of the estimated $250 million needed for the project. The federal government has allocated more than $100 million, including more than $19 million in American Rescue Plan dollars.

The city’s contribution comes from bond money budgeted for 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Councilwoman Deb Gross had questioned whether the money could be put to better use addressing other infrastructure needs, which have become a topic of concern in the wake of the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in the city’s Frick Park.

Maria Montaño, Mayor Ed Gainey’s spokeswoman, said redirecting the bond money wasn’t feasible because the funds are “obligated as part of a local match for federal funding.”

Construction on the project is expected to begin next year, according to the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.

Port Authority did not respond to requests for comment.

All City Council members present at Tuesday’s meeting voted to approve the $12.8 million allocation for the project. Councilman Corey O’Connor was not present for the vote.