Upgraded Pedestrian Amenities

Many Mon Valley communities deal with impediments to mobility. Services and
popular destinations are often spread out and lack pedestrian-friendly connections,
while streets and sidewalks can fall into disrepair. Many households in Mon Valley
neighborhoods do not own a car—19%, according to the Census’ American
Community Survey, which is higher than the Allegheny County average of 17%. For
many people, especially those with mobility challenges, it is difficult to access
transit stops. One goal of Transit Oriented Development is to create better
connections to and between important points of interest, transit nodes and
residences.

The following photograph (Figure 24) was taken along Penn Avenue where it
crosses over Thompson Run in Turtle Creek. This is an example of a disconnection
between the business district, the major bus stop and Keystone Commons. Creating
a better link between these three major amenities could enhance safety and
improve citizens’ enjoyment of the community.

The rendering (Figure 25) illustrates the following urban design improvements:
• Upgraded street furniture and lighting, especially located at points of interest
or main business corridors.
• Upgrades adjacent to natural amenities such as improvements to a small
bridge over a body of water.
• Finding opportunities for public art such as a mural along the wall of the
bridge.
• Widened sidewalks to calm traffic and encourage motorists to move through
pedestrian heavy routes more slowly and carefully.
• Providing plants and trees to provide a barrier between pedestrians and
moving traffic and to improve the aesthetic environment. (Allowing parallel
parking along streets also creates a barrier.)
• Decorative signage designating areas of interest and pride for communities.
• Safe, accessible, and clearly marked curb cuts, ramps and crosswalks.

This prototype is also applicable for other Mon Valley communities and is an
example of what upgrades could be made to “Pedestrian Friendly Green Streets”
on the McKeesport plan diagrams.

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Figure 24 EXISTING PENN AVENUE AT THOMPSON RUN

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Figure 25 UPGRADED PEDESTRIAN AMENITIES CONCEPT

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