Two Major Projects Aim To Revamp Transit In East Liberty, Castle Shannon

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Two major transit projects are in the works in the area -- one in East Liberty, the other in Castle Shannon.

Construction on a new $34 million transit center is scheduled to begin late summer for an East Liberty bus stop.

The project will reposition the stop closer to the intersection of Penn and Shady avenues.

"This is kind of isolated and looks isolated," said Toye Starver of Highland Park. "I think with the development and change, it would change people's perceptions about safety in this community."

The plan is designed to make the overall area more pedestrian friendly.

The two current pedestrian bridges crossing over the busway will be removed, and a new one will be built.

Plus, new lighting will be installed, in addition to new ramps and crosswalks.

Basically, the entire stop will receive a makeover -- one that will make the stop more inviting.

"Me, being a woman, I'm worried about my safety," said Amber Sherwood of Penn Hills, "so if that brings up the safety and makes people feel safer than yeah, I'm all for it."

A second transit project is in the works in Castle Shannon, the Shannon Transit Village Project.

The plan is to install a deck over the current Park and Ride lot at the Light Rail Station.

On top of that, an 80-story apartment building would be constructed. There would 128 residential units and about 14,000 feet of retail space on the first floor.

In addition, there would 200-plus parking spaces.

The project is still waiting for more approval, but if all goes well, work could begin as early as August.

Construction would take about two years.

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