Dignitaries Take Ride On North Shore Connector

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Anticipation is building for the grand opening of the new North Shore Connector this weekend.

While the "T" officially opens to the public on Sunday, a select got a ceremonial first ride today, including Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and the head of the Port Authority Steve Bland.

This ride comes after four years of construction, controversy and more than half of a billion dollars.

Some of the controversy surrounding the North Shore Connector is that some complained it was too expensive, sporting a price tag of $525 million. This comes at a time when the Port Authority is cutting back routes, laying people off and worrying about where it's going to get its funding for next year.

However, a ride on the "T" will cost you nothing – at least for the next three years, and will open up a brand new parking alternative for daily commuters.

The Connector was underwritten by the Pittsburgh Steelers, ALCO Parking and the Rivers Casino.

Read John Shumway's story, covering how this new ride is expected to save commuters money, here.

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