About the Project
This project will make it easier and safer for people to get to bus stops, add amenities to bus stops that improve the overall experience, and improve transit speed and reliability. This includes transit upgrades between Homestead and McKeesport on the 61C corridor, running mostly along State Route 837, and serving four other bus routes along the corridor. Existing conditions data shows a high need for improvements that would benefit multiple bus routes, pedestrian access more broadly, and complement other activities in the surrounding communities.
Project Update
September 2023: This round of engagement has closed as the project team pivots towards finalizing the financing and timeline plan for the proposed changes across the corridor.
Engagement Opportunities
This project addresses the following values from PRT’s long-range transportation plan, NEXTransit, adopted in 2021.
- Accessible: infrastructure is fully available in every way to those with specific needs, such as physical or mental disabilities, those traveling with infants or small children, and those traveling with groceries or other goods.
- Affordable: this project makes it easier for those of all means, including the underemployed and unemployed populations, to utilize transit without needing to sacrifice other life sustaining activity, such as buying food, medicine or heating, to do so.
- Equitable: the project not only ensures the fair provision of services to those with limited means or higher risk, but affirmatively acts to better the services offered to these groups in an effort to combat historical and environmental imbalances in the community.
- Sustainable: the project enhances the health of communities and the natural environment through its design and operations with regard to energy use, water use, raw material use, land use, and waste production.
PRT was awarded $420,000 through the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to focus on the southern end of the Homestead Grays Bridge and Eight Avenue in Homestead and Munhall. Considerations will be made for bus queue jump lanes, bus stop improvements (shelters, curb extensions, and other rider amenities), pedestrian crossing improvements, and signal upgrades, including transit signal priority (TSP).
PRT was awarded $960,000 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) grant for the Homestead to McKeesport project, funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grant was announced on April 20, 2022.
PennDOT District 11, Allegheny County, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Borough of Homestead, Borough of West Mifflin, Borough of Munhall, Borough of Whitaker, City of Duquesne, and the City of McKeesport.
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Fall 2021
- Initial existing conditions analysis and identification of potential solutions.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Winter 2021 - Spring 2022
- Host two public workshops to gain feedback on the corridor and desired improvements.
- Engage consultant team to support remaining stages of the project.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
- Conduct further data collection and surveys.
- Develop corridor concept based on input from general public, stakeholders, and PRT departments.
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Timeline item 4 - active
Summer and Fall 2023
- Host second round of public engagement opportunities to review draft corridor concept.
- Develop final concept based on input from public meetings, municipalities, stakeholders, and project partners.
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Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Winter 2023
- Last round of community engagement presenting the final concept and implementation plan.
Documents and Links
Questions, Comments, Feedback
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