PITTSBURGH —
The Wabash Tunnel may be permanently closing.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit announced the tunnel would be closing for good on Dec. 1, pending the approval of the PRT board.
“The Wabash Tunnel has a long history in Pittsburgh, but today it primarily serves private vehicle traffic rather than public transit,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “With an estimated $43 million needed to rehabilitate the tunnel, we have a responsibility to focus our limited resources on the infrastructure that is most critical to delivering safe, reliable transit service.”
According to officials, if the tunnel is kept open, it would need an estimated $43 million in rehabilitation work.
The recommendation was made for the closure due to the tunnel’s condition, safety and long-term viability.
The proposal will be considered on Oct. 23.
According to PRT, the closure will not affect the Wabash Park and Ride.
History of the Wabash Tunnel
PRT’s Board will consider the proposal at its regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, October 23.
The tunnel, which was constructed in 1903 as part of the Wabash-Pittsburg Terminal Railroad, is primarily used for private vehicle traffic.
Around 1,500 vehicles use the Wabash Tunnel each day.