Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel to Reopen by Year’s End
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
South portal of Mount Washington Transit Tunnel
Courtesy of PRT/(Hhm8/Wikimedia Commons)
PITTSBURGH - Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel will open by the end of 2025.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) announced the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel, which has been undergoing rehabilitation since the beginning of the year, will reopen before the year is out. In July 2024, RT&S reported that crews would “work to replace the concrete deck, embed new tracks, replace the electrical catenary wire and structural components, and repair the tunnel lining.” Additionally, the tunnel project came as part of a larger series of light rail project work that had been scheduled over the next several years at the cost of $150 million.
Now, PRT reports the tracks have been replaced and other critical upgrades have been made. Originally, the tunnel was slated to reopen by October 2025, but a design issue arose, causing the contractor to adjust the location of a section of track. Once the issue is rectified and the work is complete, PRT will test the tracks and begin employee training. After, the tunnel will reopen.
While crews finish work on the tunnel, PRT says the Red, Blue, and Silver lines will continue their detour through Allentown via Warrington and Arlington avenues. Detailed information for passengers regarding routes prior to the reopening of the tunnel can be found here.
