Minor changes to traffic patterns for vehicles and pedestrians on Liberty Avenue, Downtown, began Tuesday as a test to see if they work to calm traffic.
If the experiments to ease pedestrian congestion and improve vehicle traffic flow prove successful over the next 18 months, more changes could be made later.
The changes include making the far right outbound lane of Liberty a bus-only lane from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. between Seventh Avenue and William Penn Place, where there are three lanes of outbound traffic. Crews using paint donated by PPG Paints designated the red bus lane on Monday and signs for its limited operation will be posted later this week.
On the inbound side of Liberty, a 9-by-60-foot rubberized sidewalk extension will be placed in the next few days near Garrison Place for transit riders to keep them from blocking storefronts during rush hours. In addition, plans to narrow the 55-foot crosswalks will begin next week with a bumpout at 10th Street and a design is underway for Garrison.
Parking will be allowed 24 ours a day on the inbound side and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the outbound side.
Initial plans discussed last spring would have extended changes from Fifth Avenue to 10th and included the possibility of one-way traffic and widening sidewalks by 10 to 15 feet on the inbound side. But those ideas were scaled back after discussions with business owners, the city and Port Authority, said Sean C. Luther, executive director of Envision Downtown who is coordinating the changes.
One reason for the more limited area is expected changes in bus traffic between Fifth and Sixth avenues if Port Authority’s proposed Bus Rapid Transit system begins in 2020. Another is the city’s desire to use Envision Pittsburgh’s suggestions as temporary trials in smaller areas that can easily be expanded or changed, Mr. Luther said.
In addition, business owners were concerned about the loss of parking. In this more limited plan, only one parking space and one loading zone would be lost to the transit sidewalk.
“We’re very cognizant of not limiting how people can use the street,” Mr. Luther said.
Officials will review the limited changes through next year and decide whether other changes should be tried. Mr. Luther noted the current changes don’t involve permanent installations and change can be made “on the fly” if problems develop.
Next spring, Mr. Luther said, Envision Downtown expects to use a $125,000 grant from the R.K. Mellon Foundation to install decorative lights above the trees that line Liberty to improve safety.
“We thinking of Liberty Avenue not as a dividing line [between the central business district and the cultural district] but as a connector,” Mr. Luther said.
Eric Ackland, owner of Amazing Books on at 929 Liberty, said he’s “relieved” there still will be parking on both sides of Liberty.
“I was alarmed,” he said. “I’m glad they’re willing to work with everyone.”
Ed Blazina: eblazina@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1470 or on Twitter @EdBlazina.
First Published: September 19, 2017, 9:22 p.m.
