By Councilman Wilson

Hello everyone, As Pittsburgh City Council begins its focus on negotiating and passing a balanced budget for 2025, I wanted to share with you some small, but equally important projects that have been going on throughout the Northside.

I’m happy to share that new outfield fences have been installed at three Jack Stack baseball fields. I was able to allocate $150,000 towards these fences in the 2024 Capital Budget and I worked closely with the Department of Public Works (DPW) to get them installed before the 2025 baseball season. These new outfield fences will improve the park for not only the community teams but also the residents in and around Brighton Heights. This may sound inconsequential, but our community parks are a vital resource for neighborhoods, and I continue to look for ways to invest in them across the Northside.

Recently, curve warning pavement markings that included SLOW curve package and transverse markings were installed on Brighton Road between Harbison Street and Acacia Lane. Transverse markings are used to alert drivers of a need to slow down and are basically an inverse rumble strip (layers of paint built up rather than gouges in the pavement). They provide audible sounds for drivers as they proceed to gain attention but do not make as much noise outside the car. This installation was badly needed after numerous traffic accidents along this portion of Brighton Road and I’m grateful for the quick turnaround from the Department of Mobility & Infrastructure (DOMI).

DOMI continues to provide safer streets as they plan to remove the traffic signal at California Avenue and Antrim Street based on a traffic control study to determine the need for the traffic signal. After analyzing the vehicular and pedestrian volumes and crash history, they recommended the removal of the signal control which will be replaced with a permanent all-way stop control and raised crosswalks.

After working with the DOMI and DPW teams, new concrete bus pads were recently installed at the bus stops on Itin Street. Before, individuals who were waiting for the bus would have to either stand in the street or in the overgrowth along the street. The new pads and the recent removal of the overgrowth along the street create a safe space for individuals who use public transportation. I’m thrilled that I was able to work with those two departments to get these installed quickly and continue to focus on ways to improve pedestrian safety.

While on the topic of public transportation, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) recently announced their Bus Line Redesign, which is a unique opportunity to comprehensively review all of their bus routes. A study was conducted to consider where, when, and how people travel in and around the region and recommend updates to bus routes to better serve all of Allegheny County. Based on those results, PRT produced their Draft Network 1.0, focusing on fewer routes, more frequent service, increasing access to service within equity communities, and buses that are more direct and easier to understand. To review their proposed changes and to provide your critical feedback, go to engage.rideprt.org/buslineredesign. Public engagement for this phase of the project started September 30th, 2024, and will continue through Jan. 31, 2025.

For all the residents who currently participate in the Residential Parking Program from the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, I want to make sure you’re aware of the new portal, found here: pittsburgh.blinkay.app/welcome. All active accounts from the previous system have been transferred to the new permit system and you should have received an email from Blinkay welcoming you to the new portal.

The City of Pittsburgh also launched a new website that will allow residents and visitors to find information more quickly and easily. The website has undergone a significant transformation, with improvements in aesthetics, content structure, accessibility, and usability among other things. Visitors to the website will encounter a user-friendly navigation system, a robust search system and a service finder widget for quick access to services. The new website also includes a language translation feature to ensure accessibility for Pittsburgh’s immigrant and refugee communities. You can visit the new website here: pittsburghpa.gov/Home.

Finally, the City’s 22nd Annual Gingerbread House competition returns to the lobby of the City-County Building. For the 22nd year, the people of Pittsburgh, the surrounding Allegheny County communities, and beyond are invited to build their own edible house as the competition display returns this holiday season! All eligible houses will be displayed on Light Up Night through early January. Registration to enter closes at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 10. To enter, go to getinvolved.pittsburghpa.gov/gingerbread-house-competition.

If you have any questions or concerns about any of the items discussed in this column or any other City issues, please call us at (412) 255-2135, email us at district1@pittsburghpa.gov, or find us on Facebook and X. My staff and I look forward to hearing from you!