DOMI seeks input on closing Waldeck St. at Sylvan Ave. | The Homepage

Sylvan Avenue Trail will reopen blocked section and connect Hazelwood to The Run, Greenfield Avenue and Schenley Park in 2025

By Juliet Martinez, managing editor

Map section showing possible closures of Waldeck Street and Sylvan Avenue in green, the planned pedestrian trail in red, and current sidewalk renewal in blue. Illustration by Juliet Martinez/Map data ©2024 Google

The Sylvan Avenue Trail project connecting Hazelwood and Greenfield avenues may involve closing Waldeck Street where it meets the northern-most section of Sylvan Avenue.

Department of Mobility and Infrastructure engineer Michael Panzitta said at an Aug. 22 meeting that the project team has been struggling to find a safe way to connect the trail to Greenfield Avenue, the Swinburne Bridge and Saline Street.

The planned trail will end at a steeply inclined hairpin turn where Waldeck Street meets Sylvan Avenue. The project team is considering closing off those streets to motor vehicles and seeks input on the idea.

The closure to motor vehicles would be beyond the last house on each street, according to a Sept. 10 email from infrastructure engagement specialist Jan Raether.

The asphalt-paved trail will be landscaped with native plants like dogwood, shagbark hickory, American linden and redbud. Mr. Panzitta said the department will furnish it with benches, trash bins and lighting that will not contribute to light pollution. Foldable bollards will block the trail entrance so only pedestrians, cyclists and maintenance vehicles can access it.

Mr. Panzitta said the trail is quite steep in places, but the department will do its best to maximize accessibility to disabled users. He also explained that the design includes drainage swales and ditches to slow water runoff and reduce erosion.

Sidewalk, drainage inlet and curb improvements began last spring on the southern end of Sylvan Avenue starting at Home Rule Street and stretching to Hazelwood Avenue. Street trees are planned for the stretch closer to Hazelwood Avenue. When the sidewalk and curb improvements are finished, the street itself will be repaved and raised crosswalks installed. The design also includes a pedestrian island across Hazelwood Avenue at Sylvan Avenue to make that crossing safer.

Several abandoned properties on Sylvan Avenue will be torn down in early 2025. According to Mr. Panzitta and Permits, Licenses and Inspections staff at the meeting, 4608, 4610, 4616, 4618, 4656, 4662, 4664 Sylvan Ave. will be demolished.

Learn more at engage.pittsburghpa.gov/sylvan-avenue-trail. If you have questions or feedback on this project, please email Jan Raether, Infrastructure Engagement Specialist, at jan.raether@pittsburghpa.gov, or Ashley Bryant, Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator, at Ashley.bryant@pittsburghpa.gov.