In Pittsburgh, 2023 is on track to be the deadliest in recent memory for people walking in our city. In 2022, according to the City’s own data, 25 people died in car crashes within city boundaries. The transportation sector, including the cars and trucks we drive, is now the largest contributor to climate pollution in the U.S., and one of the few sectors where pollution has increased since 1990.

For these reasons, I was deeply disappointed that our Department of Mobility & Infrastructure (DOMI) chose to reopen Forbes Avenue through Frick Park as a dangerous highway design, rather than using the unique opportunity of the bridge reconstruction to create a safe street that supported more low-carbon transportation options. While DOMI should be applauded for creating better cycling infrastructure, the job isn’t done until we have a design that gets speeding under control and makes the best use of our valuable public right of way.

Recently, I spent a few days using a radar gun during morning and evening rush hour to understand how fast people are traveling on Forbes. Within minutes, both morning and evening, I saw a dozen drivers traveling at 50 mph or over. This is double the posted speed limit. This is really no surprise, as the road is designed for drivers to feel comfortable at this speed. I use this stretch nearly every day in a vehicle or a bike, and this behavior is typical. Because pedestrians don’t feel safe walking within feet of cars traveling 40-50 miles per hour, many people are now choosing to walk in the protected bikeway, creating new conflicts.

The good news is that DOMI has plenty of information on how Forbes would operate with a safer design. For multiple months while construction of the bridge was still ongoing, Forbes and the bridge operated with one car lane in each direction. As a regular user, I observed no additional traffic congestion, and many more drivers operated closer to the 25 mph limit.

I also recorded some video the day the Squirrel Hill tunnel was closed this summer — there was no traffic congestion.

In October 2022 DOMI promised at a community meeting to conduct a speed study to determine if a lane reduction could be undertaken on Forbes. To my knowledge, this study has not occurred. DOMI should conduct this study now to document the current condition of Forbes, including the speeds drivers are traveling at different times of day, and how pedestrians and cyclists are using the space. They should also engage the community and identify design changes that can be successful in making drivers obey the speed limit, and create a safer environment for pedestrians on Forbes and cyclists across the Fern Hollow Bridge.

DOMI is planning to hold a public meeting about upgrades to the intersection of Forbes and Braddock on Sept. 18. This would be a perfect opportunity to communicate with the public about how they intend to address these issues.

What would be possible with fewer lanes and more space for walkers and bikers? A wide sidewalk boulevard with trees and stormwater infrastructure on the north side of the street. A set of protected bike lanes over the Fern Hollow Bridge that eliminated conflicts between pedestrians and bikes from the current design. A wider sidewalk and boulevard east of the bridge that would provide adequate space for transit users and pedestrians at a busy park. A safe crossing for pedestrians at Tranquil Trail that didn’t require people to navigate four lanes.

These are the features you should expect from a city serious about eliminating deaths from traffic violence.

Brendon Slotterback is a board member of Bike PGH and a resident of Regent Square.

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