Pittsburgh broke ground today on a long-awaited reconstruction of Smithfield Street, a major downtown corridor that will see new sidewalks, safer pedestrian crossings, and other improvements spanning from Liberty Avenue to Fort Pitt Boulevard.
Mayor Corey O'Connor, Councilman Bobby Wilson, and Department of Mobility and Infrastructure Director Jeff Skalican attended the groundbreaking ceremony under the Kaufmann's Clock.
The first phase of the project will reconstruct the roadway and sidewalks between Forbes Avenue and Sixth Avenue over 18 to 24 months. Work will include expanded sidewalks, new curbs, pedestrian safety improvements, bump outs for protection, signage, pavement markings, street landscaping, and improved lighting. The existing transit-only lane will remain in place.
Future phases are planned to extend northward to Liberty Avenue and southward to Fort Pitt Boulevard, according to the city. The project is funded 80 percent through federal sources and 20 percent through local sources. Design and engineering will be handled by GFT Infrastructure, construction by Merante Contracting, and construction management by Michael Baker International.
The reconstruction is part of the Downtown Mobility Plan, developed between 2019 and 2021 in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Department of City Planning. The street has historically served as a center for transit, shopping, and culture in downtown Pittsburgh, and the city said the project aims to create a more walkable, accessible corridor that supports local businesses.