Pittsburgh

12/18 2024

Letter From A Concerned Neighbor About School Buses

School buses now issue $300 tickets.
 
Dear Neighbor,

I was recently caught off-guard by something every driver should know about.  Pittsburgh school buses now have video cameras.  These cameras record any movement from the time the bus’s safety lights are activated, even before the stop-arm is extended.  If you aren’t watching carefully, you can be in violation.

If a violation occurs, a $300 citation will be mailed to the vehicle owner regardless of who is driving.  This citation is a civil fine.  It does not add points on your license or directly affect your auto insurance.

The citation shows pictures of your vehicle (see attached scan) and a link to the Alertbus.com website where you can access the pictures and video of your vehicle and an opportunity to pay the fine by credit card.  A prominent local attorney confirmed the law that allows these citations to be issued, 75 Pa. C.S. Section 3345.1(c)(4).

If the citation is not paid, you will be sent for collection, which can severely affect your credit score and increase your insurance premiums.  To contest liability, follow the instructions on the citation and you will be notified of your hearing details. There is a non-refundable $90 court fee for this hearing.

I am all for improved school bus safety, but I don’t think enough has been done to alert the public about this new system, including marking all buses with the words “Video Monitored” prominently displayed on every bus.

WPXI has done multiple reports on the complaints they’ve received about this system.  One report stated that $858,559 in revenue had been collected in the first six months of using these school bus camera tickets. The majority of that money goes to BusPatrol, the company that provides the AlertBus cameras and processes citations.
 
 
 
 
This is a link to the notice from Pittsburgh Public Schools about the program:

 
Sincerely, Phil Garrow
South Oakland Resident

11/06 2020

City Of Pgh Snow Angels Program 2020-21

City Of Pittsburgh Snow Angels Program 
 
Snow covered sidewalks can be hazardous for everyone. Pittsburgh Snow Angels is a program that helps minimize the hardships of winter by pairing volunteers with elderly or disabled residents to assist with snow removal. 
 
Along with fostering stronger community relationships and relieving some of the stress that comes from a snow storm, Snow Angels makes our sidewalks safer for those who are outside during winter weather – like postal carriers, firefighters, and police officers. 
 
You can sign up online to offer help as a volunteer. The Snow Angels Program will work to pair you with a nearby neighbor. We will be in touch when you have been matched with a neighbor in need. 
 
See the attached flyer or visit the website for more info or to volunteer.
https://pittsburghpa.gov/snowangels 
 
 SnowAngels2020Flyer.pdf
08/08 2020

Pitt Letter To Neighborhood About Moving Forward in 2020

Attached is a letter from Vice Chancellor Paul Suppowitz about how Pitt plans to move forward with the students and long-term residents of Oakland. Several paragraphs excerpted below.  See the letter for complete info. 
 

In Service to Community: In addition to our Pitt Pandemic Service Initiative, we’re continuing to find new ways to serve and support the communities we call home. Whether it’s helping to get technology into the hands of those who need it most, offering virtual babysitting classes or getting meals to local families, our faculty, staff and students aren’t letting the pandemic stop them from partnering and engaging with our neighbors. 

 
Help Spread the Message: We’ve created signage for use in our campus buildings and would love it if you’d consider picking one of your favorites and printing it to post in your window to reinforce the message in our surrounding neighborhoods. If you don’t have a printer at home but would like to request a copy, please let us know and we’ll be happy to put one in the mail for you. 

 
Who to Contact: The Community and Governmental Relations team has and will continue to bring the latest updates to our neighbors through virtual neighborhood meetings (such as OPDC Oakland‐wide monthly meetings) and communications such as this letter. We are available at cgrinfo@pitt.edu or 412‐624‐7755. You can also stay current with Pitt’s plans by visiting coronavirus.pitt.edu. 
 

 PittCOVIDLetter.pdf

06/03 2019

“Better Recycling, Better Burgh” Workshops To Improve Recycling

'Better Recycling, Better Burgh' Workshops Work to Improve Recycling Throughout the City 
 
The Office of Mayor William Peduto, Bureau of Environmental Services,  Division of Sustainability & Resilience, and the Department of Environmental Protection to host two separate informational workshops on  June 5 and June 12 on the importance of recycling and waste reduction. 
 
Four informational workshops, demonstrating the importance of recycling and how to improve recycling and reduce waste in the City. Residential sessions are designed for people in single-family dwellings and small apartments; commercial sessions are specifically for businesses and multi-unit apartments. Topics in the workshops will include:

  • Changes in recycling guidelines
  • New regulations
  • Tips to reduce waste
  • Hard-to-recycle materials
  • Expert panel discussion
Click here to see official press release for more info.
10/29 2018

Rte 2085 Birmingham Bridge Washing begin Mon 10/29/18

 Route 2085 Birmingham Bridge Washing Activities begin Monday in Pittsburgh 
PennDOT District 11 is announcing washing activities on the Birmingham Bridge (Route 2085) over the Monongahela River in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will begin today, Monday, October 29 weather permitting. 
 
Single-lane restrictions will occur on the bridge weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Friday, November 16 as crews from Michael Facchiano Contracting, Inc. conduct bridge washing activities. 
 
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 860 traffic cameras. 
 
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. 
 
10/17 2018

City Seeks Input On New Bike Plan

   City Seeks Input on New Bike Plan
In support of ongoing efforts to provide a more sustainable transportation system, the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure is pleased to announce plans to create a new Pittsburgh Bike Plan. The Plan will develop guidelines and standards for bicycle facilities, as well as identity and propose improvements. Through the implementation of the new Bike Plan, Pittsburghers of all ages and abilities will have a better opportunity to incorporate bike riding into work commutes, recreation activities, daily errand-running, and social events. 
 
Following an initial round of public outreach in 2016, the Department of Mobility of Infrastructure has released a draft bike network map and is looking for comments from residents. The interactive online map is a collaborative tool for collecting comments on specific routes and locations. 
 
To better identify priority locations for walking and biking improvements and discuss goals and strategies for the Plan, two public meetings were held this month, with a final meeting set for 6 p.m. tonight at East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Drive. 
 
More information can be found at the Bike Plan’s website, or by contacting Kristin Saunders, Principle Transportation Planner, at kristin.saunders@pittsburghpa.gov.
10/16 2018

City Of Pgh Snow Angels Program 2018-19

City Of Pittsburgh Snow Angels Program 
Snow covered sidewalks can be hazardous for everyone. Pittsburgh Snow Angels is a program that helps minimize the hardships of winter by pairing volunteers with elderly or disabled residents to assist with snow removal. 
 
Along with fostering stronger community relationships and relieving some of the stress that comes from a snow storm, Snow Angels makes our sidewalks safer for those who continue to serve despite the winter weather – like postal service workers, firemen, and police officers. 
 
To help boost volunteer numbers this year the City is holding a competition to see which community groups recruit the most Snow Angels volunteers. Winning groups will be recognized by Mayor William Peduto and receive other perks. 
 
Click here to visit the Snow Angel Program webpage. 
or call 3-1-1 to volunteer or to request an angel.
04/15 2018

City of Pittsburgh Finalizes Street Paving List for 2018

pdf icon District_3_6_2314_Council_Paving_List_2018.pdf

Mayor William Peduto and the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) have finalized the list of 2018 street resurfacing projects, totaling nearly 55 miles of paving this year.  
 
Paving work is set to begin Monday.  
 
The full list of streets the City will be paving this year can be found here. Weekly work lists for individual streets will also be posted. 
 
The list of streets where work is being performed next week is here, and a searchable map of 2018 street resurfacing work via Burgh's Eye View is here. 
 
See attached PDF file for list of just District 3 & 6 streets scheduled.  Be sure to report any potholes or other road deficiencies to 3-1-1 so they can be addressed.
01/06 2018

2018 Snow Angels Program

City Of Pittsburgh Snow Angels Program 
Snow covered sidewalks can be hazardous for everyone. Pittsburgh Snow Angels is a program that helps minimize the hardships of winter by pairing volunteers with elderly or disabled residents to assist with snow removal. 
 
Along with fostering stronger community relationships and relieving some of the stress that comes from a snow storm, Snow Angels makes our sidewalks safer for those who continue to serve despite the winter weather – like postal service workers, firemen, and police officers.
You can now call 3-1-1 to volunteer or request an angel.
or
Click here to visit the Snow Angel Program webpage.
09/22 2017

Free Admission to Heinz History Ctr Sun 9/24 And More

 The Heinz History Center is hosting a RADical Day on Sunday, Sept. 24. Enjoy free admission to the Heinz History Center as part of RADical Days, sponsored by RAD – Allegheny Regional Asset District.
RADical Days is an annual event celebrating the assets with free admission, musical and dance performances, and family activities offered by arts and culture organizations, parks and recreation, and sports and regional attractions that are funded by RAD.
For more information on RADical Days (September 22 through October 15) and to see a list of other participating organizations please visit the RAD website.
The Fort Pitt Museum RADical day is Sunday, Oct. 1.
SCHEDULE
2 p.m. – South Hills Chorale
2:30 p.m. – Pittsburgh Youth Chorus
3 p.m. – Allegheny Brass Band  

09/22 2017

Street Closures for Great Race Sun 9/24

Street closings on  on Sunday, September 24, 2017 for both the 10K and the 5K are divided into four separate zones. Zones C & D will be closed at 6:30 a.m. Zones A & B will close at 8:30 a.m. Each zone will re-open at different times. The schedule is as follows:
  • ZONE A – Start Line at Beechwood Blvd. to Forbes and Morewood Avenues closure from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 10:00 a.m.
  • ZONE B – Forbes and Morewood Avenues to Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Blvd. closure from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m.
  • ZONE C – Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Blvd. to Fifth Avenue & the ramp to Blvd. of the Allies (at Robinson Street) closure from 6:30 a.m. to approximately 10:45 a.m.
  • ZONE D – Fifth Avenue & the Oakland ramp to Blvd. of the Allies to Commonwealth Blvd. and Liberty Ave. closure from 6:30 a.m. to approximately 11:00 a.m.
Click here for the route map.
Click here to check out the website for more info.

07/28 2017

Applications for Civic Leadership Acad due 8/4/17

 

APPLY NOW!
 
Applications for Civic Leadership Academy are due August 4! 
  
Civic Leadership Academy is a free, 11-week course that encourages more informed, effective and inspired community and civic leadership by giving City residents an opportunity to learn about their local government.
  • Classes are every Wednesday, 6:00-8:30 PM, from September 6 – November 15, 2017
  • Applicants must be residents of the City of Pittsburgh or own a business within the City limits
  • Applications are due by Friday, August 4, 2017
For more information, visit the CLA Website at
http://pittsburghpa.gov/servepgh/cla
or call Molly Onufer, the CLA coordinator at 412-255-4773
 
Click here to get the printable flyer.
07/18 2017

Pgh City Wide Steps Assessment Mtg – Thu 7/27 6pm

Pittsburgh City Wide Steps Assessment Meeting 
 
Thursday, July 27th, 6:00 p.m.
William Pitt Ballroom 
3959 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 
 
The City of Pittsburgh is currently engaged in an effort to assess City Steps in order to develop a way to strategically manage and repair these treasured assets. The Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI) will hold a public meeting on July 27, 2017 from 6-8pm at the William Pitt Ballroom to introduce the project and kick-off the public outreach component of the study. Please distribute this meeting notice to interested community members and groups. 
 
More information on the project and how to get involved can be found on the Step Plan project webpage: http://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/steps