Traffic-calming projects starting in Homewood this week

Pittsburgh officials on Tuesday announced construction will start this week on several traffic-calming projects in the Homewood area.

Traffic-calming efforts are slated for Frankstown Avenue between North Dallas Avenue and North Murtland Street in the city’s Homewood West neighborhood and at Oakwood Avenue between Batavia Street and Mulford Street in Homewood South.

The city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure in 2021 launched a planning process to identify traffic safety and mobility improvements needed in the Homewood neighborhood, officials said. Frankstown and Oakwood Avenues were two of five corridors that were identified.

More than half of vehicles traveling on those streets exceeded the posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour, according to data DOMI collected in 2021. The rate of speeding, along with crash history on the corridor, demonstrated “a strong need” for traffic calming efforts.

The project will include a new speed table on each street. Speed tables are similar to speed humps, but have a modified flat top that raises a vehicle’s entire wheelbase to reduce its speed.

Crews also will install pavement markings and permanent signage to alert drivers of the traffic calming elements.

Construction is expected to begin Wednesday. Crews will close one lane of traffic with flaggers on each end to allow alternating traffic.

Officials estimated the project will last two days, weather permitting. Construction is slated to run from 7 a.m. till 5 p.m. both days, with temporary no parking signage posted throughout the corridor during the work.