City alters weekend traffic on Carson St. once more

The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety is making some changes to its pilot project aimed at curbing the increasing violence and overcrowding on the South Side.

Although largely successful, according to public safety, the disrupted flow of vehicle traffic on East Carson Street over the weekends has sparked conversations with local business owners to ensure an ease of access to restaurants and retail stores during the early evening hours.

The following adjustments will be made to accommodate businesses:

Beginning at 9:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, East Carson Street will convert from two-way to one-way traffic traveling eastbound between South 10th Street and South 18th Street. Previously, the start time was 7 p.m.

On Fridays and Saturdays, “no parking” measures will be strictly enforced on the aforementioned blocks of East Carson Street starting at 8 p.m.,

including the towing of vehicles, to allow for Public Safety vehicle access.

Side streets from South 11th Street to South 17th Street will remain open to through-traffic until 9:30 p.m. and afterward vehicles will be diverted to Muriel Street or Sarah Street. Before the changes, the side streets were closed at 7 p.m.

“The only way to ensure the South Side will remain safe and accessible to everyone will be to continue to engage in communication with residents and business owners, working together and truly listening to their needs, balanced with the overall goal of preventing violence. That dialogue will be open and ongoing, and we continue to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation,” Public Safety Director, Wendell Hissrich, said in a news release.

The pilot project in the South Side will remain in effect for the near future, and Public Safety will continue to monitor its impact and effectiveness for businesses, residents and patrons.