Port Authority of Allegheny County completes Red Line revamp; plans rail replacement

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
image description

The Port Authority of Allegheny County has announced that crews successfully completed the six-month rail replacement project along the Red Line and the transit agency will resume service between the Fallowfield and Potomac stations Oct. 2.

 

The Red Line has been out of service since March 2016 while crews worked to replace nearly a mile of embedded tracks and street pavement. Officials say the $8.4 million replacement project was needed because the section had come to the end of its useful life and they did not want to see the track condition worsen.

“I’m thrilled to see the work on the Red Line completed and commend the Port Authority and its contractor for getting the work done on time, working with the community and business owners, and being responsive to the advocacy on behalf of the community by Senator Fontana, Representative Deasy, Council Member Ellenbogen, Mayor Peduto and Councilwoman Rudiak,” said Allegheny County CEO Rich Fitzgerald.

Port Authority originally proposed that the project be done throughout two construction seasons but managed to condense the project timeline into two phases occurring in one construction season.

“We’re grateful for such strong support from the Beechview community,” said Port Authority CEO Ellen McLean. “This is a significant investment in our light-rail system and in the Beechview community. We’re very pleased with the collaborative efforts that resulted in such as positive project.” 

Representatives say more than 12,000 people use the Red Line daily in commutes from the county’s South Hills area and into Downtown Pittsburgh.

The Port Authority also said it plans to restrict transit service in the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel beginning the morning of Oct. 3 through the end of service on Oct. 22 to allow crews to replace almost 800 feet of rail near its Station Square Station. 

The track replacement entails the replacement of 400 feet of rail in both directions. Officials say the project cost was included in the $8.4 million Port Authority’s Broadway Avenue reconstruction project completed in January 2016 by Michael Facchiano Contracting.

Port Authority says the Wabash Tunnel will only run out-bound while the project is underway. The transit agency is predicting delays of up to 20 minutes during peak travel times.

Tags: