Design Progress at Pittsburgh's North Shore Connector

The Port Authority of Allegheny County is currently undertaking an expansion of the T to the north of the city which includes 3 underground stations and 1 aerial station connected by bored tunnels under the Allegheny River, cut-and-cover tunnels and a mined tunnel using NATM.

The Dr. G. Sauer Corporation, a subconsultant for DMJM+Harris, is responsible for the waterproofing design of all cut-and-cover and mined structures as well as the NATM design of a 440 foot section of double track tunnels south of the proposed Convention Center Station. 

The benefit of mining the tunnels is that the surface traffic accessing the Pennsylvania Station, and traveling on Liberty Avenue and 11th Street will continue without interruption, fewer utilities will be relocated and construction will be quieter and less disruptive to the public.

The 30% NATM design was submitted at the beginning of October 2004 for review.  If the concept is accepted by the Port Authority, the design package could be completed and on the street for construction bid as early as March 2005.

The bored tunnel contract consisting of about 4,500 feet of 21-foot diameter single track bored tunnels, cut-and-cover launch and receiving pits and cut-and-cover tunnels is expected to be out for bid by the end of 2004. Construction for the first contract is expected to start in early 2005 and the entire construction should be completed in 2008.

Please follow this link to the Porth Authority's Home Page!