CASTLE SHANNON, Pa. — On the second day of the new year, riders taking the T inbound from the South Hills discovered it was only going to the First Avenue station. They learned it from a recording repeating on the loud speaker.
For the next two months, riders at First Avenue have to get off the T and board a shuttle bus waiting by city court.
PRT officials say the closure is for maintenance. They’re replacing the plinth, which is the concrete beam that supports the track.
We met John Batronis at the First Avenue station, where he was directing riders to get on the bus.
“I have a friend who works for PRT and fills me in on this stuff. I help people from time to time,” Batronis said.
A longtime PRT rider, Batronis knows the closure is going to affect thousands of riders who will need extra time to get to work.
“Anyone going to the North Shore will have to get off here at the First Ave. station, get on a bus which is still free to ride to all points north and that bus is running every 10 to 15 minutes,” Batronis said.
Riders who take the shuttle to Steel Plaza will then be able to get back on the T and take it to the Wood Street, Gateway, North Side and Allegheny stations.
After this work is complete there will be another closure between the Steel Plaza and Gateway stations.
The closures will pause for any Steelers home game, which there is this Saturday. PRT officials tell Channel 11 construction will stop for the day and the T will run as scheduled.
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
©2025 Cox Media Group