Pittsburgh considering sidewalk repair pilot program that would cut costs for residents to fix sidewalks

Pittsburgh officials are considering a pilot program that would see city crews repairing damaged sidewalks and curbs for residents at a lower cost.

“The ultimate goal of the program is ensuring that the city of Pittsburgh has a complete and safe sidewalk system that services all pedestrians — especially members of our disabled community and our kids as they traverse to and from school,” said Emily Bourne, a spokesperson for the city’s departments of public works and mobility and infrastructure.

The proposed pilot program, which was introduced to City Council this week, would prioritize sidewalks that are heavily used, especially those along school routes. It also would give priority to areas where there’s a high percentage of sidewalks in poor condition, Bourne said.

Under the proposal, the Department of Public Works Construction Division would perform sidewalk and curb repair work at a lower cost than it would be if residents hired private companies.

“Having city staff complete the work dramatically reduces the overall cost of the project, resulting in a substantial cost savings to our residents,” Bourne said.

The program also would offer income-based assistance for eligible property owners based on the area median income and long-term structured payment plans, she said.

Officials have not said what the cost to residents would be.

During the initial pilot phase, city officials will reach out to eligible residents in “targeted locations,” Bourne said.

“Moving forward, we hope to learn from this early phase, implement systems to scale up in the future and ultimately grow beyond the initial selected footprint and expand the program to all city residents,” she said.

City Council could take a preliminary vote on the measure as early as next week, with a final vote as soon as the following week.