The block-long section of Stanwix Street between Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Penn Avenue, closed since July 2 for light-rail construction, will reopen by 5 p.m. tomorrow.
But the Port Authority yesterday also warned motorists that the street will close again for several weeks, probably about two months from now, when the tunnel-boring machine working its way toward Downtown from the North Shore arrives at a "receiving pit" below Stanwix.
Motorists have been bypassing the area using Commonwealth Place, Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Liberty Avenue. Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings have remained open, but some merchants have complained about business losses.
News of the street reopening was disclosed yesterday at a board committee meeting, where Keith Wargo, the authority's project manager, said progress has reached the midway point on the $156.6 million initial contract to build the tunnels under the Allegheny River and other parts of the 1.2-mile T extension.
Decking has been placed over the receiving pit, enabling the authority to restore traffic on Stanwix while contractors continue underground activities.
When the 500-ton tunnel boring machine finishes digging the southbound tunnel, crews will turn it around to start digging the northbound tunnel. However, Stanwix will have to be closed while decking is removed and cranes are brought in to help with moving the machine.
As of yesterday, the machine had completed the first 942 feet of the 2,400-foot-long tunnel and was under the river, about 200 feet beyond shore.
"We're about a month behind on the mining, but we're making good progress and hope to be back on schedule again soon," Mr. Wargo said.
Authority officials have received a $48.9 million low bid to build the shell of a new Gateway Station, but indicated they won't award a contract until they see bids that are due June 5 for the next contract, building an elevated section past Heinz Field.
The $48.9 million bid, about 50 percent higher than estimates, would eat up most of the contingency money set aside for the $435 million North Shore Connector.
In other business at yesterday's Performance Oversight Committee meeting, directors agreed to recommend full board approval to:
• Apply for $184.5 million in operating assistance from the state for the 2008-09 fiscal year that begins July 1. The subsidy requires a local match of $27.7 million from Allegheny County, which has yet to provide matching money for the current fiscal year.
• Authorize a contract not to exceed $2.1 million with Veolia Inc./ACCESS Transportation Systems to manage the paratransit system for the elderly and people of special needs for the next year.
First Published: May 22, 2008, 8:00 a.m.
