Presenter
Presented by Mr. Deasy
Title
Resolution urging the Port Authority of Allegheny County to conduct a traffic study on the effectiveness of the HOV restrictions at the Wabash Tunnel, and to report back to City Council on the findings.
Body
WHEREAS, based on current traffic congestion in the South Hills neighborhoods of the City of Pittsburgh, City Council requests that the Port Authority work with City government to give serious consideration to eliminating traffic restrictions at the Wabash Tunnels; and,
WHEREAS, the intended benefits of re-opening the Wabash Tunnel include improving mobility, diminishing traffic congestion on the Liberty Bridge and Tunnel, West End Bridge, and Ft. Pitt Bridge and Tunnel and providing a reliable transportation option which helps reduce travel time, and
WHEREAS, the traffic congestion on the Liberty Bridge and Tunnel, West End Bridge, and Ft. Pitt Bridge and Tunnel can be significant during rush hour commutes, especially during a vehicle breakdown or accident, and
WHEREAS, opening the Wabash Tunnel to all traffic during the rush hours in the City of Pittsburgh will increase the already existing benefits for commuters as well as offer an option to commuters to circumvent a vehicle breakdown or accident.
Be it resolved that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby urges the Port Authority of Allegheny County to work in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh to conduct a traffic study to determine the effectiveness of the HOV restrictions at the Wabash Tunnel and encourages the elimination of the HOV restrictions, if in doing so, such action would provide a greater benefit to commuters in the City and southern Region, particularly during rush hour traffic.