What isn't mentioned is how this relates to the larger commuter rail project which had been under planning between Westmoreland and Allegheny County with the blessing and support of Congressman Altmire. A feasability study was completed last year saying the two seperate lines; one to Arnold using AVR tracks and one to Greensburg/Latrobe using NS tracks were feasible and should move into the implementation phase, but little has been said since. There are more issues than just light rail here.
In fact, aside from Patrick Dowd's comments, this is the first that anyone is talking about light rail through the strip to Lawrenceville or beyond. Bill Peduto had pushed a "heavy rail shuttle" between Hazelwood and Lawrenceville, but not LRT.
I chock this up to classic Pittsburgh transportation planning, or lack there of. No clear goal and indecision as to the modes of transportation. By that I mean, AVR is trying to bully their way into creating their own independent transit line which is dissimilair to other modes in/around the city (i.e. it's not a bus and would not be of the same gauge/power source as the "T"). Meanwhile a competing commuter project languishes after nearly a decade of talk and a new concept for a light rail line is kicked around with little to no chance of completion.
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In fact, aside from Patrick Dowd's comments, this is the first that anyone is talking about light rail through the strip to Lawrenceville or beyond. Bill Peduto had pushed a "heavy rail shuttle" between Hazelwood and Lawrenceville, but not LRT.
I chock this up to classic Pittsburgh transportation planning, or lack there of. No clear goal and indecision as to the modes of transportation. By that I mean, AVR is trying to bully their way into creating their own independent transit line which is dissimilair to other modes in/around the city (i.e. it's not a bus and would not be of the same gauge/power source as the "T"). Meanwhile a competing commuter project languishes after nearly a decade of talk and a new concept for a light rail line is kicked around with little to no chance of completion.