PRT To Begin Two Rail Projects January 2nd
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced two rail projects will begin January 2nd that will help improve reliability and safety.
The Plinth Project will close part of the rail system downtown for two months. During this time, crews will repair and replace the plinth, “the concrete beam that supports the tracks.” This work is a continuation of work that started in 2022 and will be completed in two sections. The first is January 2nd to early February. From South Hill, service will temporarily end at First Avenue Station. PRT will have alternative transportation in the form of shuttle buses. The second section will go from early February to early March in which the “light rail system will be closed between Steel Plaza and Gateway stations.”
The Rail Grinding Project will begin early January. During this time, RailWorks will grind the rail in South Hills to “remove defects using a special machine to bring the rail to a uniform standard” and to extend the life of the rail. This $1.5 million project will run from January to March each year until 2027. This work, according to the release, will take place on weekdays during the day. However, some overnight and weekend work may be required. Crews will grind in sections. These include from South Hills Village to Washington Junction; Washington Junction to Willow; Willow to South Hills Junction; Washington Junction to Library Station (time permitting).
During this work, PRT says rail cars will be single-tracking through the areas to avoid any station from being out of service completely.
