City leaders approve nearly $13M for Port Authority to connect Oakland, Downtown Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — As of Tuesday’s Pittsburgh city council meeting, Downtown Pittsburgh will eventually be connected to Uptown, Oakland, and other East End communities through a new project called the Bus Rapid Transit. It will also be called the BRT.

City Council voted to contribute $12.8 million to the project, in addition to more than $100 thousand in federal funding.

Word of the vote was spreading throughout Oakland, and Pitt students felt better access to Downtown Pittsburgh could provide more things to do.

“There are a lot of cool restaurants that students don’t know about downtown because it’s not super easy to get there through the bus system,” Pitt student, Remi Fine said.

Another student said it will be helpful to people who work downtown.

“It’s a good idea just for the students who work downtown, and who need to get there quickly. I know one of the major things is, it takes a while to get downtown if you don’t have your own car. And if you have to take an Uber, it costs money,” Pitt student, Charlie Geiger said.

The BRT project would provide dedicated lanes throughout the length of the corridor.

Adam Brandolph, a spokesperson for the Port Authority said they’re thankful for the city’s funding.

“It will help make the service between downtown and Oakland more efficient and reliable, and it will help unlock development and job opportunities throughout this important corridor,” Brandolph said.

Construction for the project could start in spring 2023.

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