Tim Gaber worries that eliminating a lane of traffic on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s bustling Strip District in order to add a bike lane could cause massive traffic jams and make it harder for fire trucks or ambulances to respond to emergencies.

Gaber, a Strip District resident and owner of Original Pittsburgh Winery, was one of about 10 business owners and residents who urged the city Wednesday to halt its plans for Penn Avenue.

The city wants to to convert Penn Avenue’s two inbound lanes between 22nd and 31st streets to a single lane of traffic while adding a bike lane.

The Strip District Business Association filed a lawsuit against the city Wednesday — specifically against the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure — seeking to bar the traffic changes. It’s asking for an injunction.

“This lane restriction is going to cause a lot of traffic buildup,” Gaber said. “It just won’t work.”

Gaber cycles through the neighborhood frequently, and he’s not convinced there’s a real need for a bike lane — especially at the cost of a lane for vehicle traffic.

“I’ve never once felt endangered on my bicycle in the Strip District,” he said.

Gaber and others made their feelings known during the public comment period at a City Council standing committees meeting.

‘Critical corridor’

Olga George, a spokeswoman for the mayor’s office, said the project aligns with the city’s goal of reducing fatal crashes.

Penn Avenue now has the highest crash rate in the Strip District relative to traffic volume, she said. There were 87 wrecks between 2020 and 2024 on the road, she said.

“This project will result in a safer Penn Avenue for all users,” she said.

Not everyone is convinced.

Jim Coen, owner of Yinzers in the Burgh and head of the Strip District Business Association, said he fears the changes will hinder safety.

“Fire trucks won’t be able to get through,” he said. “Ambulances won’t be able to get through. If a fire truck stops on Penn Avenue, nothing else is going to be able to get through.”

In a letter attached to the business association’s lawsuit, Pittsburgh firefighters union President Ralph Sicuro opposed the project, which, he said would violate the 2018 International Fire Code, a measure the city adopted.

“This substantial reduction in available roadway will severely limit access for emergency vehicles responding to incidents along this critical corridor and will create serious operational challenges during emergency situations,” Sicuro wrote.

Business impact

Coen and other business owners also worry the changes could keep customers away.

“If they make it one lane, it’s just going to choke all the business out,” Coen told TribLive.

The Strip District is a busy neighborhood with cars streaming in and out all through the day, said Cory Bonnet, who runs an art studio on Penn Avenue.

“People will put up with the crowd for so much, but if you make it impossible to get in or so frustrating, they’ll stop coming,” Bonnet said.

If it’s too hard to navigate Penn Avenue, he said, businesses throughout the Strip District — even those beyond the stretch seeing lanes reduced — will see customers steering clear.

“The entire Strip District will be affected,” he said.

Nicholas Lardas, who owns Niko Contracting, said he doesn’t think the changes will make the stretch any safer.

“Reducing the street to one lane will not stop accidents caused by people running red lights or running stop signs, nor will it stop accidents caused by drunk drivers or vehicles going the wrong way,” he said.

Daniel Nolan, who owns Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange on Penn Avenue, is a member of the Strip District Business Association.

He echoed other business owners’ concerns and urged city officials to stop the proposed changes.

“This project is obviously not well received in the Strip due to many different reasons,” he said.

A bicyclist’s perspective

Mallory Brangan, however, told City Council Wednesday that when she bikes from her Lawrenceville home through the Strip District, she’s wary of Penn Avenue without a bike lane.

“Penn Avenue’s a little too risky for me to safely ride,” she said, adding she was excited for the changes.

Mayor Ed Gainey in a statement said the project received input from businesses, residents and public safety experts.

“The Strip District is a (vibrant), thriving, growing district,” the mayor said.

“As we see more people living, working and visiting the Strip, we understand the need to balance mobility, safety and economic activity in the Strip District.”

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