After nearly a half-century in operation, buses will no longer look like they’re going in the wrong direction on Fifth Avenue in Oakland starting next week.
On Sunday, Pittsburgh Regional Transit will close the outbound bus lane on Fifth Avenue — which has been flowing against traffic in the heart of Pittsburgh’s university district — redirecting nine bus routes and eliminating 17 bus stops along the Fifth Avenue bus lane.
Adam Brandolph, a spokesman for Pittsburgh Regional Transit, said people attempting to travel to those areas should “go to the closest corresponding bus stop on Forbes.”
Several bus routes will be shifted over to Forbes Avenue as part of the next step in Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s University Line bus-rapid transit project, according to a news release.
They are:
• 54-North Side-Oakland-South Side
• 61D-Murray Short
• 71A-Negley Short
• 71B-Highland Park
• 71C-Point Breeze Short
• 71D-Hamilton Short
• 75-Ellsworth
• 93-Lawrenceville-Hazelwood
• P3-East Busway-Oakland
While running there, the buses will travel in the same direction of other general traffic.
The University Line bus-rapid transit project, which began in October, is a $291 million project designed to shorten travel times, improve bus service and upgrade infrastructure between Oakland and Downtown.
University of Pitt officials could not be reached for immediate comment Friday on how this will impact students.
The change will allow for a new two-way bike lane on Fifth Avenue to be built, Brandolph said.
When the University Line is finished, travelers will see a modernized transit corridor with buses traveling in dedicated lanes outbound on Forbes Avenue.
According to the release, the project will also include new sidewalks and curbs, ADA-compliant ramps, upgraded traffic signals and enhanced pedestrian safety systems.
