UPDATE - November 13, 2024
A second closure will occur in January, running for approximately two months.
The exact closure dates may shift, and PRT will aim to minimize disruptions, including accommodating potential Steelers home games, which are yet to be scheduled. However, completing the repairs during January and February should remain feasible.
2025 DETOURS
Phase A: January 2 - Early February
Starting at the beginning of service on January 2, inbound light-rail service from the South Hills will temporarily end at First Avenue Station. Shuttle buses operating every 10 minutes will transport riders from First Avenue to Steel Plaza Station. From Steel Plaza, riders can board a "Subway Local" operating every 15 minutes to reach Wood Street, Gateway, North Side, and Allegheny stations.
Outbound “Subway Local” rail service will operate between Allegheny Station and Steel Plaza Station. Riders heading outbound beyond Steel Plaza will need to transfer to shuttle buses at Steel Plaza to reach First Avenue Station, where they can transfer to continue their journey south on the Red, Blue, or Silver lines.
Phase B: Early February - Early March
During Phase B, the light-rail line will be closed between Steel Plaza and Gateway Stations, with Wood Street Station closed entirely.
Service from the South Hills will terminate at Penn Station, the light-rail station along the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway near The Pennsylvanian. Penn Station will be the next stop after Steel Plaza (inbound). Shuttle buses will transport riders from Penn Station to Gateway Station. From there, riders can board a "Subway Local" bound for North Side and Allegheny stations.
Outbound “Subway Local” rail service from Allegheny and North Side Stations will terminate at Gateway Station. Riders traveling farther outbound will need to transfer to a shuttle bus at Gateway Station to reach Penn Station, where they can transfer to continue their journey south on the Red, Blue, or Silver lines.
Both rail and bus shuttles are expected to run every 10 minutes during this phase.
The light-rail tracks sit on a concrete beam (formally called plinths) throughout the downtown subway.
About the Work
When this project began in late 2022, contractors performed the work on weekends from Friday night to early Monday morning to keep any disruptions to a minimum. Although that tactic proved to be less disruptive to riders, we quickly learned that the project would go on for a very long time if we were only working on weekends.
Therefore, beginning on April 5 (immediately following the Pirates home opener), work on this project will be conducted seven days a week through May 30.
Riders should expect disruptions from the South Hills to downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore and allow for at least 30 minutes of additional travel time.
The work will be occurring in the tunnels between Steel Plaza and Gateway stations.
2024 Detours
From April 5 to start of service May 31, 2024, rail cars coming from the South Hills will serve First Avenue and Steel Plaza stations before continuing to Penn Station, the otherwise inactive rail station located across the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway from The Pennsylvanian.
Riders traveling to Gateway, North Side or Allegheny stations should exit rail vehicles at Penn Station and board a free shuttle bus to Gateway Station. From Gateway, a rail car will operate to North Side and Allegheny stations.
From Allegheny Station, rail cars will serve North Side and Gateway stations. Riders continuing toward the South Hills should exit rail cars at Gateway, board a shuttle bus from the temporary stop outside the station, and travel to Penn Station, where they can board a rail car to the South Hills.
Shuttle buses will not operate on May 4 and May 5 due to the Pittsburgh Marathon and related events, on May 18 for BikePGH's Open Streets, or on May 19 for the Rush to Crush Cancer.
Wood Street Station will be closed throughout the duration of the project.
As of May 31 at 6am, Wood Street Station has reopened. All units are back to normal operation inbound and outbound between Steel Plaza and Gateway Stations.
The work will continue on some weekends through summer 2024. An additional multi-week closure to complete the work will likely be required in 2025.