Visitors will be able to enjoy the view of the city from the Monongahela Incline through Labor Day weekend.
The Port Authority of Allegheny County announced Wednesday that it will delay the start of major renovations until Tuesday, Sept. 8.
The twelve week shutdown had been planned to start Aug. 31.
Members of the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation had urged the PAT board to hold off until after the holiday, arguing that it would hurt neighborhood business. The authority initially held firm; spokesman Jim Ritchie said Friday the transit agency had already postponed the project once to avoid increased summer traffic.
State Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Brookline) and representatives of the Mt. Washington business community later swayed the board, Fontana said.
“I appreciate that the Port Authority not only listened to the request of businesses and residents in the community, but also respect their position and opinion enough to reconsider their work schedule,” Fontana said.
The $3.5 million reconstruction project will close the Monongahela Incline for approximately 80 days to allow Port Authority to replace rails and ties, a catwalk and a safety restraint system and also renovate the passenger cars.
Work was scheduled to begin in August to avoid potential wintry conditions along the hillside and complete renovations in time for another major event—Light Up Night on Nov. 20.
“With the delayed start, we’re going to hope for excellent fall weather, which will allow the contractor to complete all of the scheduled work in time for Light Up Night,” Port Authority CEO Ellen McLean said. “The Port Authority and our contractor will be making the best effort to have the work completed on schedule.”
