The city of Pittsburgh will hold a community planning workshop associated with the West End Mobility Plan at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the West End Healthy Active Living Center, 80 Wabash St. in Pittsburgh.
Representatives from the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure, Mayor Ed Gainey’s office and City Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith, who represents District 2, are scheduled to attend.
The West End Mobility Plan will focus on four prominent West Pittsburgh communities – Elliott, Esplen, Sheraden and the West End. The goal is to reduce what the city refers to as health disparities and achieve health equity by promoting healthy living and active lifestyle approaches within the communities.
The plan will address three key areas: pedestrian and traffic safety, connectivity and accessibility improvement among neighborhoods and community placemaking and wayfinding.
While primarily residential, the area boasts a rich industrial heritage and a vibrant yet under-utilized commercial district. Notably, West Pittsburgh has long served as a transportation hub, particularly with the West End Busway, which remains a core strength and opportunity for the neighborhoods.
Despite convenient access to regional destinations including the North Shore, Downtown and the airport corridor, a perception persists that West Pittsburgh is disconnected.
City officials believe that elevating community gateways and improving connections within neighborhoods, especially for public transit users and individuals who walk or use other mobility devices, will benefit the existing residents of West Pittsburgh and attract new individuals to the area.
Officials have spent the past several months gathering citizen feedback utilizing several means, including steering committee meetings, community walkthroughs and a listening session.
Area residents raised a number of concerns about poor sidewalk conditions, lack of ADA accessibility, poor and hidden signage, inadequate intersection planning, missing crosswalks and bus stops in need of repair.
A draft plan that would address these concerns is scheduled to be released sometime in the fall, and a final plan is set to be unveiled sometime in early 2026.
To learn more about the planning process, visit: https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/west-pittsburgh-mobility-plan
Be First to Comment