City of Pittsburgh Breaks Ground on Smithfield Street Reconstruction Project
Pittsburgh, PA – Today, Mayor Corey O’Connor, Councilman Bobby Wilson, and Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) Director Jeff Skalican joined Downtown stakeholders under the Kaufmann's Clock to celebrate the groundbreaking of the long-awaited Smithfield Street Reconstruction Project. The project is an investment in the economic redevelopment of the historic street that spans from Liberty Avenue to Fort Pitt Boulevard.
“Smithfield Street has historically been an iconic destination for transit, shopping, and culture in Downtown Pittsburgh,” said Mayor O’Connor. “With the public amenities like the bus lines, park, library, housing and storefront opportunities for small businesses, it’s time to reinvest in the vibrancy of this main street. Thank you to DOMI, City Planning, PDP, PennDOT, and everyone who has worked to make this longtime vision a reality.”
The overall project will modernize the Smithfield corridor with a complete reconstruction of the roadway, expanded sidewalks, new curbs, pedestrian experience improvements, safety bump outs, signage, pavement markings, street landscaping, and infrastructure for improved lighting to beautify this highly utilized Downtown space. The existing transit-only lane will be maintained as it exists today.
Today’s groundbreaking kicked off the first phase of the project, which is the full redesign and reconstruction of Smithfield Street spanning from Forbes Avenue to Sixth Avenue. Construction of Phase 1 is expected to take 18-24 months. Future phases of the project are expected to expand to Fort Pitt Boulevard to the south and Liberty Avenue to the north.
“This Project is an example of the high-level coordination we strive for in everything we do,” said DOMI Director Skalican. “We’re bringing together a diverse group of project stakeholders with complex needs on one of Pittsburgh’s most important streets in order to modernize infrastructure and improve the pedestrian experience.”
The reconstruction of Smithfield Street marks a major milestone in Downtown reinvestment and continues the work outlined in the Downtown Mobility Plan, which was created in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Department of City Planning between 2019 and 2021. Formerly referred to as “Smithfield Reimagined,” the Smithfield Street Reconstruction Project reflects one of nine high impact priorities identified in the plan and envisions a vibrant, people-centered corridor that promotes walkability, supports local businesses, and creates a more welcoming and accessible Downtown environment.
The Smithfield Street Reconstruction Project was made possible through a collaborative effort and funding from federal sources (80%) and local sources (20%).
Phase 1 will be completed in partnership with GFT Infrastructure for design and engineering, Merante Contracting for construction, and Michael Baker International for construction management.
To learn more about this project visit the Smithfield Street Page on EngagePGH, the City’s engagement and information platform: https://engage.pittsburghpa.gov/smithfield-street-project.
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