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Pittsburgh City Council

Council Approves Funding for Penn Ave From Evaline to Graham and Considers Accepting a Settlement from the Finland Street Pedestrian Bridge Lawsuit.

Written by Amy Whipple

  • Council approved an amended agreement with PennDOT for the Penn Ave Phase 2 project (Bloomfield/Garfield).
  • The project consists of a full-depth reconstruction of all street infrastructure on Penn Avenue between Evaline Street and Graham Street, including the street, curbs, sidewalks, ADA ramps, traffic signals, and other mobility and safety improvements.
  • Phase 1 (Mathilda Street to Evaline Street) included reconstructing the roadway, curbs, and sidewalks, improving street lighting, upgrading 12 signalized intersections, and upgrading the sewer system from Main Street to Penn Circle.
  • The new agreement for Phase 2 brings the total cost to $12,275,000, an increase of $10,200,000.
  • The city is responsible for 20% of the total cost, plus $68,400 in costs incurred by the state.
  • Council held a discussion on accepting settlement money from the Finland Street Pedestrian Bridge lawsuit for two weeks.
  • The proposed settlement amount is $316,367.
  • The bridge, which spanned Bigelow Boulevard, was hit by a crane boom in 2022 and was subsequently demolished.
  • The suit was filed by the City against Doren, Inc. and Michael J. Lott in 2024.
  • Council President Lavelle stated that the money effectively reimburses work that has already been done, but a larger discussion in two weeks could include strategies for securing additional resources for new pedestrian crossings.
  • Councilperson Gross continued to express concern about safety, noting that pedestrians still need to cross Bigelow, which she described as “nearly highway conditions,” without a bridge.

Connections to this story

Topics:
Transit & TransportationInfrastructure
Governments:
Pittsburgh City Council
Public meetings:
City Council · March 18, 2025

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