Red Lanes Debut: Pittsburgh's Oakland Gets Transit Makeover

Crews in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood are set to begin a new phase of the University Line project on Monday night, weather permitting. The most visible change will be the application of a red epoxy coating embedded with glass beads to mark new bus-only lanes on Fifth and Forbes Avenues. This initiative is part of a larger $291 million investment aimed at improving public transit efficiency.

The red bus lanes are specifically designed to enhance travel times for the thousands of daily riders who utilize this busy corridor. Work is scheduled to occur nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Friday, with specific street segments targeted each day. During construction, buses and regular traffic will share a single lane, and some bus stops may be temporarily relocated.

Drivers are explicitly prohibited from using these red bus-only lanes. While initial warnings will be issued via camera systems for 30 days, subsequent violations will carry a $25 fine, with additional fees potentially escalating the total cost to nearly $200 per ticket. This measure is part of a broader effort to make public transportation in Pittsburgh a more reliable and less stressful experience.