Pittsburgh Update

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A few weeks ago, I posted that Pgh's North Shore light rail extension will include a short downtown shuttle line (branch) between Steel Plaza and the Convention Center (part of which already exsits from Steel Plaza to Penn Station, but currently has no service). But operator Port Authority of Allegheny County (PAAC) has announced that the shuttle is tabled, due to costs.

Work continues, though, on the 1.3 mi. North Shore line under the Allegheny River. Boring was recently halted for a time when crews found wood mixed in with the normal sub-riverbed materials. PAAC isn't concerned by the delay because the boring machine, they say, was ahead of schedule. Project updates and info are at PAAC's website.

To those who think this will benefit mainly Steelers and Pirates fans, PAAC says, "Hang on." The extension, they say, will serve the community college's main campus, a corporate headquarters, the science center, a planned casino and several other north side visitor destinations. It will end at a parking garage for north side commuters who, PAAC hopes, will ride LRVs from there to downtown. PAAC also claims the line will allow future system expansion north and west, including to the airport. A recent local study also recommends extending light rail service east to the congested Oakland area, home of Pitt and Carnegie-Mellon U's.

Great, but one piece at a time. Another post here on PA's undependable transit funding is right on, and who knows which way Federal winds may blow? Will $3.50+/gal. gas eventually mean more popular support?