PITTSBURGH - Port Authority officials reported at a news conference earlier today that Kennywood Park Associates has been awarded the lucrative $435 million light-rail extension contract from Downtown to the North Side.
The Port Authority has been under harsh criticism in the business community for plowing forward with the record cost project in the face of extremely low expected ridership studies. In the news conference, Henry Nutbrown, engineer-construction manager for the authority, unveiled conceptual drawings of the project design. “The selection of Kennywood for this project assures that there will be a constant flow of passengers who seek the thrill of a ride to the North Side,” reported Nutbrown.
The second phase of the project is still in planning stages, although Nutbrown reported that the Port Authority is working closely with Kennywood on the design of a sunken pirate ship stop at the end of the Clemente Bridge and an adults-only midway at the site of the Garden Theatre, both expected to be completed in 2011. Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl, who attended the news conference said “the timing of this is perfect for both me and the city.” Ravenstahl added, “In 2011, I should be tall enough to get off at all the stops.”
