Letter to the editor: Opposition to Mon Oakland Connector

Regarding your article “Focus of Pittsburgh’s proposed Mon-Oakland Connector project changes” (Feb. 11, TribLIVE): Although it is true that the project has “generated strong opposition” from transit advocacy groups “and from some Greenfield residents,” naming only these groups implies that only a handful of residents oppose the MOC roadway.

Since the project’s initial public announcement in 2015, a supermajority of Four Mile Run (The Run) residents have adamantly opposed it. A multi-community coalition has grown over time; residents of Hazelwood, Greenfield, The Run, Panther Hollow, Oakland and Squirrel Hill came together to create the Our Money, Our Solutions alternative plan endorsed by dozens of local organizations.

Also, MOC funding never was part of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority’s stormwater plan. PWSA officials stated on many occasions that these are “two separate projects.” They should spend more of their $42M-plus budget on direct flood control instead of reserving funds for “opportunities to collaborate with the universities and other community organizations on future stormwater projects” per an email from PWSA’s Rebecca Zito.

MOC funding should be used to address Hazelwood’s infrastructure needs. And PWSA should prioritize upgrading what many consider an inadequate flood control plan that is designed around and undermined by the MOC.

Ray Gerard

Greenfield