Pittsburgh to Oakland BRT Makes Adjustments, Keeps Moving Forward

"After a second round of public meetings on Port Authority’s proposed Bus Rapid Transit system — and what changes it might have for local service — the agency will spend the next three months refining the project before it is resubmitted for federal funding," reports Ed Blazina from Pittsburgh.

The proposed $195.5 million electric BRT system will connect Downtown and Oakland via dedicated lanes, requiring streets to be completely rebuilt. After years of planning, the proposed project hit snags recently because of political fallout over reduced local bus service in suburban areas along the route as a result of the new line. The question of funding is also undetermined, although the Port Authority has expressed support for the project, with or without federal funding.

Recent meetings addressed in Blazina's article were tailored to responding to concerns about local bus service, and adjusting the plan with those concerns in mind.