Pittsburgh Regional Transit to reopen Mt. Washington Tunnel by year's end

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) expects to reopen the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel by the end of the year.  

The tunnel, through which light-rail trains and buses travel, has been closed since February so that crews could perform track replacement and other infrastructure upgrades, PRT officials said in a press release. 

The project initially was slated to be completed by Oct. 31, but a design issue required a section of track to be relocated, delaying the opening. Once the work is completed, PRT will perform track testing and employee training before reopening the tunnel.

The Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel is a key connection between South Hills Junction and Station Square Station. It is the only tunnel in the United States that is shared by light rail and bus transit, PRT officials said.

Until the tunnel reopens, the Red, Blue and Silver light-rail lines will continue to reroute through Allentown via Warrington and Arlington Avenues, and a temporary line will continue to operate between Station Square and Allegheny Station.