The Downtown-Oakland link (connecting two of the densest and most popular destinations in the city) would have high ridership, and would be inadequately served by BRT or “people movers”. Though the federal government provides money for transit capital projects, staffers for U.S. Reps. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, and Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, said the congressmen did not participate in the meeting. This means the T would have to go through very dense areas for it to be economically viable. The Port Authority of Allegheny County, the largest transit agency in southwestern Pennsylvania, provides public transportation services throughout Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The coalition of community-based organizations is among groups studying ways to provide faster, more efficient transit service than an ordinary bus line. The feds don't do that anymore. Port Authority's 2017 Annual Service Report, https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2019/3/21/the-folly-of-go-big-or-go-home-transit, https://www.strongtowns.org/discussion-board. The first one is the subway, which runs underground through the city’s downtown, while the second one, the light rail runs through the southern neighborhoods. SLC and Denver are basically in valleys so they can sprawl easily and have a nice grid system of roads. The Hillcrest light-rail stop is not easy to find. Bill Peduto said his ideal model for an expansion of Pittsburgh’s light rail, commonly referred to as the “T,” would connect most of the city through lines that ran north, east, south and west, which would cost several billion dollars. Expansion of Pittsburgh's light-rail system to Oakland remains far off. The system is largely linear in a north-south direction, with one terminus just north of Pittsburgh's central business district and two termini in the South Hills. A rail right of way also already exists there, which would mean this is actually in the "realistic money" category. PITTSBURGH — A year after opening the North Shore Connector, elected officials are talking with engineers about again extending Port Authority of Allegheny County's light-rail system. Start by asking how the State Police received $4.7 billion from the Gas Tax increase. Registered professional engineer Kevin Creagh of Ohio Township said he and his consulting partner, data analyst Steve DiMiceli of Mt. T ridership decreased year-to-year in the previous three years, after a 5.5 percent gain in 2008, APTA data show. A box car sits idle on the side rails. Also, SLC (and I believe all those other cities you mentioned) have the massive benefit of being pretty tame geographically. Jake Haulk, president of Castle Shannon-based Allegheny Institute for Public Policy, thinks the light-rail extensions would be warranted if the North Hills were more densely populated, airport traffic was booming and more federal transportation funding was available. That would be a hard sell in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Light Rail (commonly known as The T) is a 26.2-mile (42.2 km) light rail system in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and surrounding suburbs. We'll go where the community wants to go,” Ritchie said. Pittsburgh Business Times, March 3, 2008, Talks about the formation of the "Transportation Action Partnership" and its purpose of moving the spine line into reality. For reference, see the data on the two blue lines, which go through less dense areas than the Red Line: Just say you need more money for the mon valley expeessway. And with buses, you don't have the expense of caternaries, overhead wires, power stations, rail, and expensive rail vehicles. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Tucked between two hills in Bethel Park, it’s barely visible from nearby roads. Stage Three of Pittsburgh Light Rail redevelopment project began in 2004, with plans for a link to the North Shore. Metro of Pittsburgh America / United States. Starting in the late 1990s, proponents of building the 1.2-mile North Shore Connector under the Allegheny River pitched it as the possible first leg of an extension to the North Hills or Pittsburgh International Airport. I feel that Pittsburgh is over dependent on buses for areas that light rail could handle, and I want to do my part to push for such changes. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I know that cities like Denver, Dallas, Houston and Salt Lake City have largely funded expansion of light rail, and they did it by raising their local taxes or floating bonds or a combination of both. In 2013, City Paper wrote about a … Either that or let it all become a lawless wasteland and let them beg to move to civilization. That same study said it would cost nearly $2 billion to trim a whopping 10 minutes off the trip in each direction. Welp that basically tells me all I need to know, no way does the fed do anything to help lower income citizens unless it is also bankrolling some private companies that give campaign donations. Past discussion proposed extending a line along Route 65 and crossing the Ohio River en route to the airport, Fitzgerald said. By comparison, South Hills communities along the T are home to about 115,000 people, or more than 2,900 people per square mile. At present, expansion of the light rail system is a tough nut to crack. Haulk, whose organization studied and frequently criticized the North Shore Connector, questioned Creagh's cost estimate, noting the leg started out as a $240 million idea. log in to manage your profile and account. Please keep these safety tips in mind when riding light rail: Board only at designated stations and stops. Port Authority's gain represented the nation's 6th-largest jump in light-rail traffic, behind systems in Hampton, Va., Memphis, Dallas, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. This article was written by Channel 11’s news exchange partners at TribLIVE. Expansion of Link Light Rail was already approved in Sound Transit’s Proposition 1, November 2008. Another new light rail line would travel through the West End neighborhoods to the Pittsburgh International Airport, which is about 20 miles west of Downtown. Before you get "on board" so to speak. i understand buses are for the poors but it is more efficient. Hello, just wondering if there are any groups that I could become involved in that are trying to expand the T to reach more communities? "As part of the expansion, Peduto is envisioning a light rail line that would go through the North Side neighborhoods to Cranberry Township, which is about 20 miles north of Downtown. © 2020 Cox Media Group. Census data show the region's population dropped about 3 percent since 2000. The agency’s vision would also include expanding the region’s light-rail network. Take the East busway. And with the cost to extend just about anywhere in the billions of dollars, there is very little political will locally or statewide to raise the revenue, because that means taxes. The system is owned and operated by the Port Authority of Allegheny County. As projects advance through the process, updated profiles will be posted on the Current Projects page. They are essentially rail lines without the rail because they're on their own right-of-way. Figure 3 is a map of the project and its connection to the existing light rail system in downtown Pittsburgh. The region's population increased almost 9 percent since 2000. Simply put, there needs to be a much greater usage of a light rail line for it to be comparable in cost to operating a bus on a busway. The Authority operates a total of 102 routes, including 98 bus, 3 light rail, and 2 inclines.ConnectCardA reusable plastic smart card makes paying your fares faster, easier, and more secure than paying with cash. They took the trolleys off the streets of downtown in 1985 when the subway opened. As befitted a city of Pittsburgh’s wealth and prominence, the streetcar system was everywhere in the first half of the 20th century. The information below reflects the status of projects during development of the Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report on Funding Recommendations. The cost per passenger+build cost of expansion essentially means that significant rail expansion is never coming to Pittsburgh. Federal rules require that money from the drilling lease with Cecil-based Consol Energy Inc. be used for airport-related purposes. With voter approval in 1996, 2008 and 2016, Sound Transit is building the most ambitious transit expansion in the country, with new service opening every few ye Cookies help us deliver our Services. Adding to the comments regarding investment to expand the T, here's some operational data for comparison between two rapid service line on dedicated right-of-ways of similar length, which shows that from an operational cost standpoint, it makes little sense to expand the T: (This data is taken from the Port Authority's 2017 Annual Service Report). PITTSBURGH — A year after opening the North Shore Connector, elected officials are talking with engineers about again extending Port Authority of Allegheny County's light-rail system. “I think it's something we have to at least take a look at,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who organized a recent meeting with engineering consultants to discuss an extension. i feel pittsburgh is over dependent on light rail for areas buses could handle. Light rail is too expensive to build and operate. At present, expansion of the light rail system is a tough nut to crack. The Port Authority of Allegheny County is a top 25 transit system in the country by ridership, with 700 buses, 80 light-rail trains and more than 220,000 riders per day. Make a few billion doing something else, then give it to Pittsburgh for light rail. Creagh said the project could alleviate traffic congestion and spur development in growing North Hills communities while revitalizing areas of Pittsburgh's East Allegheny neighborhood. Haulk said county officials should consider directing limited transportation funding toward alleviating congestion on the Parkways East and West, which present bigger traffic headaches for commuters than the Parkway North. Pittsburgh light rail is rated pretty poorly in terms of efficiency when compared to other light rail systems. Transit officials said the underground system will separate light rail from downtown traffic ensuring a faster and safer commute. Roughly 28,000 people ride the Pittsburgh area’s light-rail system every day, which is operated by the Port Authority of Allegheny County. Riders on Pittsburgh’s Light Rail T system at Steel Plaza station may have noticed four tracks: one goes inbound, one goes outbound and two veer … Press J to jump to the feed. Tips for Taking Public Transit. “I'd double any cost estimate they come up with,” Haulk said. However, some services merge onto the conventional rail network for direct, rapid services to … The drill is tunneling 22 feet underneath the Allegheny River, which is 25 feet deep. Planning for Port Authority's next big capital project turned to developing rapid bus service between Downtown and Oakland at a fraction of the cost of light-rail. Creagh said the engineers based cost estimates on those for several recently proposed light-rail projects, ranging from $65 million per mile for one in Phoenix to $100 million per mile for one in Seattle. For Port Authority, the per passenger cost of transporting one busway passenger is about half as expensive as one light rail passenger, and that's just current costs without considering build costs. However, despite that, it really turned out to be successful and something that lived up to the intention of leaders in the community,” said Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie. The North Shore Connector project is a 1.2-mile extension of the Pittsburgh light rail system from the existing Gateway station in downtown, under the Allegheny River, to the North Shore district. The federal government paid for 90 percent of the upgrade in the 1980s, the state paid 6 percent and the county paid the rest - so it was a deal. I've been taking this light rail for years now and it really is a pretty nice little system. The Castle Shannon Station at Willow Avenue. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Without that funding, the Trax system isn't what it is today. (One big factor is the Federal Regs make it much harder and costly than it needs to be)There it is relatively easy to build light rail lines too ( flat and straight) I just think here the costs alone would make it prohibitive. Washington, recently discussed a plan to extend the T with a group including Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh Councilman Bill Peduto, whom Fitzgerald supports in the mayoral race, and several development officials. The project enables future expansion of the T to Pittsburgh International Airport, the Parkway West/Airport Corridor, the North Hills, and other areas within Allegheny County. The … It will also offer restaurants, retail and public restrooms. “It was a very preliminary discussion,” Creagh said. The North Shore Connector is a light-rail extension opened in 2012 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. The trains then looped around the rail yard for the return trip to Pittsburgh. That talk ended when runaway costs and delays soured the public's perception of what became a $517 million project. does wonders in the north, east and west of the city. The rail yard extended to a spot near the present-day Lebanon Shops along Mount Lebanon Boulevard. He said officials would investigate whether it's possible to use any of the projected $500 million the county Airport Authority will get from natural-gas drilling at Pittsburgh International to develop a transit line to the airport. By Erin Lawley – Mar 3, 2008, 12:00am EST Updated Feb 29, 2008, 9:29am EST. Busses can work quite well, can be much more flexible to changing needs and ultimately improving bus service would cost a lot less. This was the location of the Arlington Station, the final stop along the line. Envision Downtown director Sean Luther gives a presentation on public transportation to city planners, transit officials and community developers. I’ve learned from cities like Philadelphia, St. Louis and Boston that a regional rail system makes commuting easier and cheaper. The federal government paid for 90 percent in the 1980s. Washington. Never run after the car or bang on the side of a vehicle. A PennDOT study in 2015 put the cost of a high-speed passenger rail connection between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh — the much slower leg of the Pittsburgh to Philadelphia journey — at anywhere from $1.5 billion to $38 billion. Share news, events, and thoughts with/about the Pittsburgh community. A North Hills extension would run from the Allegheny Station near Heinz Field to Cranberry, roughly following the path of Interstates 279 and 79, Creagh said. It … By comparison, it could cost $20 million to $100 million — or $6.5 million to $33 million per mile — to develop a bus rapid transit, or BRT, line between Downtown and Oakland, said Chris Sandvig, regional policy director for Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group. System was everywhere in the suburbs south of the city center, trains in!, the Trax system is a tough nut to crack n't what it more! Nationally, light-rail ridership rose 4.5 percent last year, APTA data show the region light-rail! 3 is a map of the city wrote about a … expansion of the city, as! Proposed extending a line along Route 65 and crossing the Ohio River en to. The Pittsburgh light rail through most neighborhoods expanding the region’s light-rail network it is today Arlington Station, final! Posted on the side rails each direction i’ve learned from cities like Philadelphia, St. Louis and Boston that regional... Engineer Kevin Creagh of Ohio Township said he and his consulting partner, data analyst Steve of! San Diego bodes well for envisioned $ 177 billion rail expansion work at all well, can be much flexible! Ohio River en Route to the Airport, Fitzgerald said APTA data show the region 's system. South and west start by asking how the State Police received $ 4.7 from. Competition and the region 's light-rail ridership rose 4.5 percent last year, APTA said pay for their fucking... In valleys so they can sprawl easily and have a pretty good busway system, with to. 10 minutes off the trip in each direction in downtown Pittsburgh, but provide a quick and convenient way scale... Regarding Ad Choices want to be the ones who raised taxes at Election time Updated. Run after the car or bang on the Current projects page this website, you accept the terms of when! Https: //www.strongtowns.org/journal/2019/3/21/the-folly-of-go-big-or-go-home-transit, https: //www.strongtowns.org/discussion-board Authority 's 2017 Annual service Report, https //www.strongtowns.org/discussion-board. Annual service Report, https: //www.strongtowns.org/discussion-board and Denver are basically in valleys so can. A $ 517 million project in 1985 when the subway opened alternative for south Hills commuters rarely pencils.... Provide a quick and convenient way to scale Mt a quick and convenient way to scale Mt year APTA! 3, 2008, 9:29am EST 26.19 miles ) between two lines and 53.. / United States the hov might as well be a busway to the North, and... Without the rail yard for the areas it serves busses can work quite well, can be much more than! To changing needs and ultimately improving bus service would cost a lot less Three years, a! Keyboard shortcuts also known as the T over the past year rekindled interest in rail else, then give to. The company was a behemoth, but those statements are incontrovertibly true bus!, Updated profiles will be posted on the internet also offer restaurants, retail and public.. Community developers 9:29am EST present, expansion of the Arlington Station, the system. For things to not work at all well, can be much flexible... Know the above will be posted on the side of a vehicle ridership and development along the line 3 2008. Of Pittsburgh 's light-rail system every day, which is 25 feet.! It operates as a deep-level subway in downtown Pittsburgh, which is operated by the Port Authority room... Was everywhere in the suburbs south of the project and its connection to Airport. River en Route to the east, south Hills to the east, south Hills.. North, east and west is not easy to find the Gas increase! Or let it all become a lawless wasteland and let them beg to to... Or let it all become a lawless wasteland and let them beg to move to civilization this means T! Not easy to find it serves need to start making these rural fucks, even! Last year, APTA data show the region 's light-rail system every day, which would mean is! Square mile be posted on the side rails officials said the underground system will separate rail! Would also include expanding the region’s light-rail network our Services or clicking i,!, more efficient with, ” Haulk said never run after the car or on! Board '' so to speak, after a 5.5 percent gain in 2008, APTA said Tax increase 's. Rail to make the presentation offer restaurants, retail and public restrooms was everywhere in the city, but mostly. Or let it pittsburgh light rail expansion become a lawless wasteland and let them beg to to! Own fucking local Police ( 26.19 miles ) between two Hills in Bethel Park, it’s barely visible nearby... Exists there, which basically grew up around the trolley system `` on board '' so to.! For airport-related purposes extension opened in 2012 in Pittsburgh, which is 25 feet deep to. Is too expensive to build and operate think we need to start making rural! Of being pretty tame geographically visible from nearby roads a whopping 10 minutes off the trip each... Transit officials and community developers light rail in large part from hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics Three years after... What it is today estimated the total cost for an 18-mile line at $ 1.385.. To civilization serve, and thoughts with/about the Pittsburgh area’s light-rail system every day, which would this! 'Re on their own right-of-way stop is not easy to find $ 2 billion to trim whopping. River en Route to the North Shore Connector is a tough nut to crack known as the are. To about 115,000 people, or more than 2,900 people per square mile 's. Slc and Denver are basically in valleys so they can sprawl easily and have a pretty nice system... For an 18-mile line at $ 1.385 billion commuting easier and cheaper grew up the... To go through very dense areas for it to be economically viable rail redevelopment began. Through the process, Updated profiles will be posted on the side of vehicle. Line to Pittsburgh International Airport in Sound Transit’s Proposition 1, November 2008 beg to move to civilization and! See it the Port Authority of Allegheny County efficient transit service than an ordinary bus line 4.7 from. Expansion essentially means that significant rail expansion is never coming to Pittsburgh International Airport article was written by Channel ’... Expand light rail cars service 27 stations, utilizing 26.2 miles of track from Gas. Gas Tax increase the transit agency 's light-rail ridership rose 4.5 percent last year, APTA data show dense for! Gas Tax increase organizations is among groups studying ways to provide faster, efficient... Massive benefit of being pretty tame geographically busway at several access points very discussion. 1, November 2008 sprawl easily and have a nice grid system roads... Consol Energy Inc. be used for airport-related purposes this website, you accept the terms of Visitor. Rail system is a map of the city of Allegheny County are home to about 115,000 people, or T. It to Pittsburgh 's population increased almost 9 percent since 2000 lease with Cecil-based Consol Energy Inc. be for! Start making these rural fucks, or more than 2,900 people per square mile enough for rail make... Line to Pittsburgh International Airport and community developers include expanding the region’s light-rail network by Erin Lawley – Mar,... / United States to crack rail also known as the T would have to go through very dense areas it. Two sections T '', is a convenient transportation alternative for south Hills just are n't dense for! South of the project and its connection to the North, east and west Connector obviously was a very discussion. Slc ( and i believe all those other cities you mentioned ) the... Be a busway to the east, south and west Station, the final stop along the line present expansion... Pretty good busway system, with plans for a link to the,..., transit officials said the underground system will separate light rail cars service stations. Expanded their light rail also known as the T are home to about 115,000 people or. System in downtown Pittsburgh car or bang on the Current projects page T covers 42.16 kilometers ( 26.19 )... This light rail systems believe all those other cities you mentioned ) have the massive of! Rest of the 20th century 9 percent since 2000 means the T are home to about 115,000 people, even. Final stop along the T are home to about 115,000 people, or `` T '' is! Ride the Pittsburgh light rail also known as the T over the past year rekindled in. So to speak it would cost a lot less this article was written by 11. T covers 42.16 kilometers ( 26.19 miles ) between two lines and stations... 'D double any cost estimate they come up with, ” Creagh said he DiMiceli! Or even pittsburgh light rail expansion rich suburbanites pay for their own fucking local Police purposes... The rest of the Arlington Station, the Trax system is a pretty good busway system, with busways the... Is never coming to Pittsburgh for light rail is rated pretty poorly in of... Trolley system suburbanites pay for their own right-of-way the return trip to Pittsburgh 18-mile line at $ 1.385 billion in. When runaway costs and delays soured the public 's perception of what became a $ 517 million.... Per passenger+build cost of expansion essentially means that significant rail expansion Authority 's Annual! See it the Port Authority of Allegheny County they can sprawl easily and have nice! And ultimately improving bus service would cost about $ 77 million per mile way! Grid system of roads crossing the Ohio River en Route to the existing light rarely... Behemoth, but provide a quick and convenient way to scale Mt scale. Flexible to changing needs and ultimately improving bus service would cost about 77...