Pittsburgh transit board votes to close Wabash Tunnel permanently

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 16:50 · Archive

Pittsburgh Regional Transit voted unanimously to permanently close the 123-year-old Wabash Tunnel on 1 December, citing deteriorating infrastructure and £43 million repair costs.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit's 11-member board unanimously voted on Friday to permanently close the Wabash Tunnel on 1 December. The agency cited the tunnel's deteriorating infrastructure and the anticipated £43 million needed for repairs. According to PRT, the tunnel's lighting, ventilation and electrical systems were in poor to critical condition and had "exceeded their useful life".

Several members of the public opposed the closure at Friday's meeting. Michael Lopato, a South Side Flats resident, said the tunnel served as a key detour for commuters during construction periods and would be useful during PennDOT's upcoming three-year project to relieve congestion at the Parkway West's Banksville Interchange. Kendall Gruidel, a Mt. Washington resident, said that removing the alternative route would reduce network capacity and resilience, making the entire network more vulnerable when incidents occur.

The board also unanimously approved a new contract with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85, which represents around 2,300 workers. The four-year agreement runs through June 30, 2030. Union workers will receive 4% wage increases in the first two years and 3.5% in the final two years, with health insurance deductibles and copays increasing incrementally. PRT will work with the union to transition to a fully electronic shift-picking system by 2028.

How it is being reported

• PRT board makes it official: Wabash Tunnel will close on Dec. 1Pittsburgh Post-Gazette · 24 Oct, 16:22
• PRT board votes to permanently close Wabash Tunnel, approves union contractPittsburgh Regional Transit will close the Wabash Tunnel permanently Dec. 1, citing its deteriorating infrastructure and the anticipated $43 million it would cost to repair the 123-year-old tunnel.TribLIVE · 23 Oct, 18:13

In this story: Pittsburgh Regional Transit · Wabash Tunnel · Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 · Pittsburgh

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