North Shore Connector
Rapid Transit Extension Project

Map of Proposed North Shore Connector Subway Extension

Other Information Links Regarding the "North Shore Connector"
Rapid Transit Extension Project

PHOTOGRAPH TOUR OF CONSTRUCTION OF INBOUND SUBWAY TUNNEL
UNDER ALLEGHENY RIVER - PITTSBURGH: NORTH SIDE TO DOWNTOWN

Related News:

PAT Purchase and Demolition of Carnegie Science Center Warehouse for Allegheny LRT Station

Casino Development Next to Carnegie Science Center

"Point of light: The North Shore Connector is a transit boost." Editorial.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 March 31.

Heyl, Eric. "T-ticket? Check. Life jacket? Um ..." Column.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 March 30.

Shea, Kelsey. "The North Shore Connector officially opens."
The Northside Chronicle On-Line 2012 March 29.

"Nicholson busy with San Francisco, other tunnelling work."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 March 27.
Nicholson Construction was awarded the geotechnical contract for work on San Francisco's new Central Subway Project, to extend a light-rail line in the city by 1.7 miles.

"Tuesday takes - Failure's code phrase: & Selective memory:." Editorial.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 March 27.
Regarding Port Authority's completed North Shore Connector subway extension project.

Schmitz, Jon. "North Shore connector gets show on road."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 March 27.

Schmitz, Jon. "North Shore Connector makes rush-hour debut."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2012 March 26.

Fontaine, Tom. "T extension to debut amid questions about its acceptance."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 March 25.

Fontaine, Tom. "As T extension opening nears, officials take wait-and-see approach."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 March 18.

Schmitz, Jon. "Trains ready to roll under the river to North Shore."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 March 13.

O'Neill, Brian. "Price is right, at least, for North Shore transit." Column.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 Feb. 26.

"Transit win: The news is good, at least on the North Shore." Editorial.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 Feb. 26.

Schmitz, Jon. "Trips on North Shore T section will be free."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 Feb. 23.

Schmitz, Jon. "New T service from North Side to Downtown free at first."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2012 Feb. 22.

Schmitz, Jon. "Subway's new station is flooded with light and history."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 Feb. 19.

Fontaine, Tom. "Rail line developers seek Port Authority's advice."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 Jan. 28.
Regards proposed Allegheny Valley commuter rail service that may use Penn Station to Steel Plaza subway tunnel.

Schmitz, Jon. "Passengers on two bus routes will have to take subway to town."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2012 Jan. 13.

Fontaine, Tom. "Port Authority begins running cars through North Shore Connector."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2012 Jan. 10.

Fontaine, Tom. "Rides could be free on part of North Shore Connector."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2011 Dec. 21.

Schmitz, Jon. "Free 'T' on subway to North Shore in works."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Dec. 21.

Schmitz, Jon. "Port Authority gets sponsors for free North Shore subway rides."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Dec. 20.

McConnell Schaarsmith, Amy. "Public encouraged to help design new Portal Bridge inside Point State Park."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Nov. 26.
"...to a Mobius bridge that uses an elevated garden to link the park to the city's new subway station at Gateway Plaza."

Thomas, Mary. "Artist Romare Bearden leaves mark on U.S. stamps."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2011 Sept. 29.
"In the 1980s Mr. Bearden, by then an established New York artist, received a commission for an artwork for the Gateway Center subway station, Downtown. When his "Pittsburgh Recollections," a ceramic mural, was removed in the fall of 2009 during subway reconstruction it was appraised at $15 million. The mural will be reinstalled in the new Gateway station."

Schmitz, Jon. "Wood Street station reopens."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette On-Line 2011 Sept. 28.

Schmitz, Jon. "How did Port Authority get into this deep, expensive hole of river tunnel?"
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2009 March 15.

Grata, Joe. "Port Authority OKs two contracts to complete light rail extension."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 July 26.
Second contract includes demolition of Science Center's Miller Warehouse, where historic Buhl Planetarium artifacts are currently stored.

Ritchie, Jim. "Port Authority OKs two contracts to complete light rail extension."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 July 26.
Second contract includes demolition of Science Center's Miller Warehouse, where historic Buhl Planetarium artifacts are currently stored.

"Port Authority stays within tunnel budget despite high costs."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2008 July 25.
Second contract includes demolition of Science Center's Miller Warehouse, where historic Buhl Planetarium artifacts are currently stored.

* Ritchie, Jim. "Bearden mural valued at $15 million."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 24.

* Ritchie, Jim. "Transit authority anticipates $10 million surplus."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 23.

* "Tree jams tunnel-boring machine under Allegheny."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 April 19.

* Ritchie, Jim. "Clay, pieces of tree halt dig for North Shore Connector."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 19.
"Board member Richard Taylor questioned Winston Simmonds, the authority's rail operations and engineering officer, about stopping the rail line short on the North Shore."

* "Clay, pieces of tree halt dig for North Shore Connector."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review On-Line 2008 April 18.

* Grata, Joe. "Transit chief: Light-rail project must go forward."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 April 18.

* Grata, Joe. "Subway bids are budget busters."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 April 16.

* Ritchie, Jim. "Station bids 40 percent higher than expected."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 April 16.

* Ritchie, Jim. "Wood Street station has museum-worthy LeWitt mural."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 March 29.

* Ritchie, Jim. "Bearden's mural may see light of day."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 March 28.

* Heyl, Eric. "Poor-mouth transit sits on artwork gold mine." Column.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 March 28.

* Ritchie, Jim. "Experts ponder fixing subway mural mistake."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 March 27.

* Ritchie, Jim. "Monument's safety concerns Korean War veterans."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 March 11.

* Grata, Joe. "Project to bore tunnel under Allegheny taking 2 giant steps."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 10.

* Grata, Joe. Column - Getting Around: "Cost of subway extension has not risen."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 9.

* Amen, Rob. "Want to put your name on a tunnel?"
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 March 8.

* Amen, Rob. "Potential line of loot."
Pittsburgh Trib p.m. 2008 March 7.

* Sikora, Kristy. Letter-to-the-Editor: "Gateway T station should remain open."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 March 4.

* Ritchie, Jim. "Rising costs for light-rail tunnel spark concern."
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 2008 Feb. 24.

* Grata, Joe. "Gateway 'T' stop to close for 2 years."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2008 Feb. 23.

* Dickey, Robert W. "KQV Editorial More Disconnects with The North Shore Connector!.
Radio Broadcast. KQV-AM 1410 News Radio Pittsburgh 2008 Feb. 22.
"Second, it’s a terrible waste of taxpayers dollars which could have been better dedicated to improving public transit to the Oakland medical and cultural centers, serving the city’s largest resident population…"

* 2006 Nov. 17 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Tough choices ahead for public transit
Transportation panel hears ideas after controversial report

By Joe Grata

* 2006 Nov. 17 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Commission backs state gas tax increase
By Jim Ritchie

* 2006 Nov. 17 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Editorial: Pittsburgh Laurels & Lances

* 2006 Sept. 9 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
U.S. gives green light to tunnel under river
By Caitlin Cleary

* 2006 Sept. 9 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Tunnel work set for October
By Jim Ritchie

* 2006 Sept. 8 - Port Authority of Allegheny County:
News Release
North Shore Connector
Full Funding Grant Agreement Signed; Construction Ready To Begin

* 2006 July 19 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Column: Connector will face deepest scrutiny
By Jack Markowitz

* 2006 July 17 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Official: Put brakes on Connector
By Thomas Olson

* 2006 July 15 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Editorial: Start digging / The Port Authority keeps the connector on track

* 2006 July 15 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
New rail route no sure thing
By Jim Ritchie

* 2006 July 14 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Port Authority gives nod to twin tunnels under Allegheny River
By Mark Belko

* 2006 July 14 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Port Authority to award $156M contract for 1st phase of Connector
By Jeremy Boren

* 2006 July 13 - On-Line Newspaper Reports of PAT Board vote on North Sbore Connector Rapid Transit Extension Project (which would serve Pittsburgh's Lower North Side) --
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (12:11 p.m. EDST):
Port Authority approves twin tunnels under river By Mark Belko
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (11:55 a.m. EDST):
Port Authority approves North Shore connector contract By Jeremy Boren

* 2006 July 13 - Public Statement of Glenn A. Walsh before Special Meeting of the Board of Directors, Port Authority of Allegheny County, supporting approval of primary contract for the North Sbore Connector Rapid Transit Extension Project (which would serve Pittsburgh's Lower North Side), but recommending that construction of one North Side transit station be deferred, to resolve cost overruns: Prepared Text *** Large-Print Version
Archive of listserver messages regarding North Shore Connector project.
Also see Mr. Walsh's on-air rebuttal to KQV-AM 1410 NewsRadio editorial.
*** Pittsburgh's Lower North Side, originally Allegheny City, is home to America's first publicly-funded Carnegie Library and the world's first Carnegie Hall, Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science (which merged with Carnegie Institute in 1987), and it is the neighborhood where Andrew Carnegie grew-up.

* 2006 July 13 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
County Council votes to limit funding for subway project
By Lara Brenckle

* 2006 July 12 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Opinion: Midweek Perspectives: All aboard mass transit
The way to the future lies in tunneling under the Allegheny to extend the T

By Jack Brooks

* 2006 July 12 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
County Council may bury tunnel
By Jim Ritchie

* 2006 July 12 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review/AP:
Chicago Commuters Return to Subway
By MEGAN REICHGOTT

* 2006 July 8 - Broadcast Reply to KQV NewsRadio Editorial
Broadcast on KQV-AM 1410 KHz: 2006 July 8, 9, & 10:
Submitted 2006 July 5 - Recorded 2006 July 7
Broadcast Reply from Glenn A. Walsh,
to Editorial of KQV President and General Manager Robert W. Dickey
Opposing Construction of the North Shore Connector Rapid Transit Project,
Which Would Serve Pittsburgh's Lower North Side.
KQV Web Site: Glenn A. Walsh Broadcast Reply
Original Bob Dickey Editorial (Bob Dickey's Editorial Follows Editorial Reply on web page.)
Announced KQV air times, of on-air rebuttal, listed at end of listserver message.
Also see Mr. Walsh's statement before the PAT Board and news reports of primary contract Board vote
Also see Broadcast Reply to 2005 KQV Editorial Opposing North Shore Connector.

* 2006 July 8 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Light-rail extension under Allegheny River gets federal approvals
By Joe Grata

* 2006 July 8 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Port Authority likely to OK North Shore connector
By Jim Ritchie

* 2006 June 27 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Report: Reroute buses, redo Market Square
New city task force to consider options

Including two Downtown "Transit Centers"
By Mark Belko

* 2006 June 27 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Rerouting buses part of solution
By Jeremy Boren

* 2006 June 25 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Editorial: Transit largess
Proposes privitization of public transit and elimination of public transit subsidies.

* 2006 June 25 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Riding down memory lane
Trolleys preceded transit of today.
By Ron Paglia

* 2006 June 24 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Mineta leaving Bush Cabinet
Transport chief also served Clinton

* 2006 June 24 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Port Authority facing deficit of $31 million By Joe Grata

* 2006 June 23, 24 - Philadelphia Inquirer:
SEPTA OKs budget with gap
The plan is $50.3 million short.
Officials hope a new state panel finds a dedicated funding source.

By Larry King

* 2006 June 23 - Philadelphia Daily News:
No fare hike, service cuts for SEPTA
But agency must deal with a $50M shortfall

By CHRISTINE OLLEY

* 2006 June 23 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Port Authority approves budget
By Jim Ritchie

* 2006 June 23 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Mon Incline closed for the weekend

* 2006 June 22 - Philadelphia Inquirer:
Amtrak loses power for 3d time
The mysterious failure shut down commuter traffic between Newark and New York City.

By Leonard N. Fleming

* 2006 June 21 - Philadelphia Inquirer:
Near rail stops, transit villages begin to sprout
Collingswood, Haddonfield, and other PATCO towns are looking to capitalize.

By Edward Colimore

* 2006 June 21 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Studies of transit woes cost $1 million
By Jim Ritchie

* 2006 June 20 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Port Authority plans to boost South Hills garage use
Agency's business strategy includes leasing spaces, offering lot for sale

By Joe Grata

* 2006 June 18 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Forum: Property-tax reduction is the wrong battle, says THOMAS HYLTON.
More compact living will reduce government spending

* 2006 June 17 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Deadline nears on 'T' decision
Port Authority likely must decide by July 15 on funding, contract

By Joe Grata

* 2006 June 16 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
New bus station, garage contracts awarded
For new Downtown Greyhound Bus Station

* 2006 June 13 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
T extension fate to be known soon
By Jim Ritchie

***

* 2006 March 22
Long-Range Planning Committee, Allegheny County Transit Council --
Report on Committee Actions of 2006 March 22
Regarding Easier Pedestrian Access between the
David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the
Rapid Transit Station, Located at the Pennsylvania Railroad Station (“Penn Station”),
of Port Authority of Allegheny County
Resolution (Approved by a unanimous vote) *** Memorandum to Transit Council Membership

Port Authority of Allegheny County Proposal to Defer Construction of Proposed
Convention Center Extension of Downtown Subway System

PAT Proposed Subway Construction Project Revisions and Rationale
With Link to the North Shore Connector Environmental Report on Proposed Project Revision

* 2006 January - Official Public Comments Submitted on Proposed Project Revision:
Allegheny County Transit Council (ACTC) *** Glenn A. Walsh

***

From the Pittsburgh City Paper, Pittsburgh - 2005 October 13:
The T Stops … Where? Writer: Julie Mickens

Regarding proposal for elevated walkway to Penn Station replacing proposed Convention Center subway spur.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh - 2005 October 8:
Redrawn maglev route eases some concerns By Richard Gazarik

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh - 2005 October 6:
New York increases subway security after word of threat to transit system
By The Associated Press

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh - 2005 October 3:
High-speed train plan moves slowly
Report on maglev's impact out this week

By Joe Grata

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh - 2005 October 1:
200 properties in maglev's way By Rich Cholodofsky

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh - 2005 September 29:
Letter-to-the-Editor: Transit dreams & boondoggles By Jack Ciak of Greensburg
Supports Maglev project or similar commuter rail line.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh - 2005 September 23:
Editorial: The Connector & Maglev: Stop the insanity

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh - 2005 September 19:
Maglev talks resume after 2-year hiatus By Rich Cholodofsky

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh - 2005 September 14:
North Side light rail plans raise concerns at the City Planning Commission
By Mark Belko

"North Shore Connector" may include demolition of The Carnegie's Miller Printing Company warehouse building, across street from The Carnegie Science Center, which currently includes storage of historic Buhl Planetarium equipment and artifacts, including the Zeiss II Planetarium Projector.

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh - 2005 September 14:
North Shore light-rail plans seem to favor sports fans
By Violet Law

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh - 2005 September 14:
Stung by high bids, Port Authority restructuring North Shore rail project
Looking for a cheaper ride

By Joe Grata

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh - 2005 September 8:
Column Commentary: Train sadly sidetracked as transit option
By Samantha Bennett

Proposal - 2005 August 24:
Elevated Pedestrian Walkway, Convention Center to Penn Station
Proposal unanimously approved for forwarding to the
Executive Committee of the Allegheny County Transit Council for consideraton,
at the 2005 August 24 Joint Meeting of:
Long-Range Planning Committee [Chair: Jonathan Robison], Allegheny County Transit Council and
Technology Committee [Chair: Stu Strickland], Allegheny County Transit Council
Original Suggestion By Glenn A. Walsh; Draft Proposal By Stu Strickland.
Basic Proposal
Addendum: Table S-1: Study Area Goals and Objectives
[Addendum from the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), North Shore Connector project]

Proposed Abandonment of PAT's Penn Station Rail Yard - Letter and Rebuttal:
Letter of Paul P. Skoutelas: 2004 May 18
Rebuttal of Glenn A. Walsh: 2005 August 25


From the Pittsburgh City Paper, Pittsburgh - 2005 August 10:
Letter-to-the-Editor:
RE: “Don’t rail against the T” Letter in 2005 July 27 issue
of the Pittsburgh City Paper
By Glenn A. Walsh, Mount Lebanon

2005 August 10 Letter Written in Response to:
From the Pittsburgh City Paper, Pittsburgh - 2005 July 28:
Letter-to-the-Editor:
Don’t rail against the T
By Judi McNeil, Director of Media Relations, Port Authority of Allegheny County

From the Pittsburgh City Paper, Pittsburgh - 2005 June 30:
"Rant":
The T Extension Is an Abomination By Matthew Khoury, Friendship


Public Statement - 2005 July 20:
Statement of Glenn A. Walsh Before the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)
Regarding Governor Ed Rendell's Transit Funding Proposal--
Prepared Statement *** Large-Print Version
Commission Approved Transit Fund "Flex" by 37 to 10 Vote

Public Statement - 2005 June 30:
Statement of Glenn A. Walsh Before the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC)
(Also, submitted to SPC by electronic mail < comments@spcregion.org >,
during official public comment period for Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Amendment:
Proposal To Flex Highway Funds To Public Transit Needs
)
Regarding Governor Ed Rendell's Transit Funding Proposal--
Prepared Statement *** Large-Print Version

Broadcast Reply to KQV NewsRadio Editorials -
Recorded 2005 June 24 *** Broadcast on KQV-AM 1410 KHz: 2005 June 25, 26, & 27:
Broadcast Reply, from Glenn A. Walsh,
to Editorials (2) of KQV President and General Manager Robert W. Dickey
Opposing Construction of the North Shore Connector Rapid Transit Project,
Which Would Serve Pittsburgh's Lower North Side.
Original electronic mail reply (longer)
Also See Broadcast Reply to 2006 July KQV Editorial Opposing North Shore Connector.

Proposal - 2005 June 22:
Proposal before the Planning Committee of Allegheny County Transit Council:
Continued Use of Penn Station LRT Station And Use of LRT Rail Yard

Reply to KQV NewsRadio Editorials - 2005 June 20:
Electronic Mail Reply, from Glenn A. Walsh,
to Editorials (2) of KQV President and General Manager Robert W. Dickey
Opposing Construction of the North Shore Connector Rapid Transit Project,
Which Would Serve Pittsburgh's Lower North Side.
Shortened Broadcast Reply - Recorded 2005 June 24 *** Broadcast on KQV-AM 1410 KHz: 2005 June 25, 26, & 27
Also See Broadcast Reply to 2006 July KQV Editorial Opposing North Shore Connector.