Beechview, September 9, 2016 –State Sen. Wayne D. Fontana today said he is pleased with the progress of the Red Line rail project in Beechview and confident it will reopen for riders on Sept. 25 as scheduled.
“I have worked and remained in touch with county and local officials throughout this project and am very enthusiastic about what these transportation improvements will mean for Beechview,” Fontana said. “The Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAT) has done an outstanding job of getting the work done on time, listening and reacting to the concerns of the community and handling critical comments and rumors from a few residents in a professional manner.
“PAT provided continuous updates throughout the project. I don’t know of any other project like this in Allegheny County that was finished this quickly. The authority deserves a great deal of credit for its work and diligence.”
According to Fontana, contractors have already finished installing rail and concrete between Boustead Street and the stairs leading to Rutherford Avenue; and removed construction barriers and restored travel and parking lanes on Broadway Avenue. The intersections at Neeld and Fallowfield have been reopened on a limited basis as contractors complete final rail connections. He said a rail switch near Neeld was replaced and the overhead power line was restored.
Fontana added that contractors are currently doing some minor cosmetic work to the concrete platforms and making the final rail connections at Fallowfield. Beginning today, Red Line riders could board inbound and outbound rail cars on the outbound side at Fallowfield Station. This is for one day only as contractors must complete the final rail connection on the inbound side.
In July, Fontana announced a $600,000 state grant to redesign and revitalize part of Broadway Avenue. The project was aimed at making the business corridor safer, more attractive and more accessible for pedestrian and bicycle travel. The funds were used to redesign nearly a mile of the roadway from Fallowfield Station to Wenzell Avenue. The new design includes transit stop improvements and improved pedestrian crossings.
# # #