Pittsburgh Plans Pedestrian-Friendly Makeover on Downtown Street

As Ed Blazina reports, “Pittsburgh’s preliminary plan to reduce and narrow traffic lanes, widen sidewalks and create a more pedestrian-friendly environment along Smithfield Street in Downtown generally received favorable marks from a small group at a virtual public hearing Wednesday.” The city is holding public meetings to determine the best design for a safer street.

“The preliminary design calls for widening sidewalks by varying amounts on each side of the street; narrowing and limiting traffic lanes to one lane for general traffic northbound for all three blocks and buses only on the southbound side between Oliver and Forbes.” According to the article, “The wider sidewalks would be used for benches, trees, planters and outdoor dining. Bikers will be able to use the southbound bus lane with the expectation that a northbound lane will be established on another parallel street.”

“Because of the extensive nature of the work and the cost, the project is being broken into three phases, and even the first phase will be done in sections.” If approved, the first phase of the three-phase project is expected to cost around $9 million and be complete in the fall of 2025.