Pittsburgh to Oakland BRT Connection Taking Shape

"The Port Authority is down to two possible routes for a Bus Rapid Transit system between Oakland and Downtown and expects to have a preliminary design ready to submit to federal officials within two years," reports Ed Blazina. The Port Authority is working with Allegheny County and the city of Pittsburgh on the project.

One possible route for the proposed BRT line would run down Fifth and Forbes avenues. The other potential route runs through the Uptown neighborhood, according to Blazina.

The project has progressed far enough through the initial planning stages that "a Port Authority committee Thursday recommended the agency award a $2.4 million contract to CDM Smith Inc. of Boston to begin the preliminary design of the BRT system." The Port Authority board is expected to vote on that contract by the end of the week.

If completed, the project is expected to cost about $200 million.