Pittsburgh City Council Budget Hearings: Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (2025-12-03)

The Pittsburgh City Council Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure convened to review the 2025 accomplishments and 2026 budget request for the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure (DOMI). Department leadership provided a comprehensive overview of the department's four bureaus, highlighting a strong emphasis on bringing engineering, design, and construction work in-house to achieve significant cost savings and expedited project delivery. Key discussions focused on Vision Zero initiatives, bridge rehabilitation, the ongoing LED streetlight conversion, and the critical need for increased fiscal resources to secure matching funds for federal and state grants. Councilmembers expressed strong support for in-house capacity expansion while raising concerns regarding budget constraints, sidewalk maintenance policies, and the department's response to specific traffic engineering requests.

Consent Calendar

• Routine administrative approvals regarding departmental budget allocations for 2025 and proposed staffing additions for 2026 were noted for discussion but not explicitly listed as a separate unanimous vote in the transcript.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Councilwoman Lynn Gross: Expressed strong support for the shift toward in-house project delivery, noting it prevents years-long delays and cost inflation associated with outsourcing. She advocated for modernizing bridge construction materials, citing Chicago's use of steel mesh bridges as a potential faster and longer-lasting alternative to current concrete methods. She questioned the lack of a city-wide inventory of retaining wall conditions in digital format (Cartograph). She requested updates on the status of sidewalk and retaining wall maintenance in District 2, specifically regarding the $14 million Grandview stabilization project and landslide remediation on Herndon and McGardle streets.
• Councilman Sharland: Expressed deep concern regarding the city's inability to pursue grant funding due to a lack of matching funds, describing it as "leaving money on the table." He supported the need for a dedicated line item to facilitate 20% federal matches. He voiced strong support for the traffic calming and vulnerable road user safety improvements on South 18th and 21st Streets, and acknowledged the critical role of staff member Ian (referred to as Jan/Yon) in community relations. He queried the status of the Baldolf Street landslide project and why it received a low priority score, asking if funding could be found to prevent homelessness.
• Councilwoman Strasberger: Praised the department's work in District 2 and specifically thanked them for responding to landslide issues in the Herndon and Elliott neighborhoods. She supported the concept of integrating traffic calming with enforcement but expressed concern that infrastructure might slow down first responders and hinder elderly residents. She supported the push for a Vision Zero coordinator and asked about the possibility of using painted lines in areas without sidewalks to improve safety.
• Councilman Yaw: Expressed appreciation for the department's responsiveness despite staffing constraints. He emphasized the need to balance traffic calming requests with the safety needs of first responders and the elderly. He inquired about the integration of speed humps into the paving program and noted that traffic calming spending (approx. $575k-$1.6M) is a fraction of the paving budget ($19.5M). He supported the expansion of the traffic calming program but acknowledged the difficulty of meeting every request. He raised concerns about the timing of traffic lights at the West End Circle and supported the idea of a "sidewalk tax" to shift responsibility from property owners to the city.
• Waymo Inquiry: A councilmember (implied as Yaw or Strasberger) asked about the city's preparation for autonomous vehicle deployments by Waymo. DOMI planning staff noted they were not previously aware but confirmed they are now engaging with PennDOT and planning for public interaction, despite state preemption limiting local regulation.

Discussion Items

• In-House Capacity and Cost Savings: The department emphasized a strategic shift to in-house execution for planning, design, and construction to save money and time. Specific examples cited include saving over $400,000 on the South 21st streetscape design by avoiding consultants, saving roughly 95% on bridge washing ($2,300 in-house vs. $35,000 contractor), and saving $431,000 on the Calera Street Bridge #2 design.
• Vision Zero: The department reported 19 fatalities on non-interstate streets in 2025. They highlighted the deployment of automated red light enforcement and the creation of tailored education materials for motorcyclists. Speakers expressed a position that engineering alone cannot achieve Vision Zero; they require a comprehensive approach including policy, education, and enforcement.
• Grant Funding and Matching Funds: A recurring theme was the inability to secure grants due to lacking local matching funds (often 20%). Councilman Sharland and DOMI leadership discussed the necessity of a dedicated line item or policy change to allow the department to cover these matches, noting that grants often total millions (e.g., Warrington Ave, Murray Ave) and provide significant value.
• Litter and Public Works: Brief comments regarding litter were included in the transcript, with the Department of Public Works noting that litter begets more litter and calling for a holistic approach including infrastructure, education, and nonprofit partnerships.
• Infrastructure Specifics:
  • Bridges: 19 bridges are in the pipeline (15 in poor condition), mostly federally funded. The Panther Hollow Bridge repair targets a 2026 reopening. The Charles Anderson Bridge construction is proceeding despite challenges.
  • Streetlight Conversion: 40% of LED luminaries have been replaced, with completion projected by the end of 2026. The project includes an equity component in site selection.
  • Traffic Signals: 80-100% of signal projects are funded by PennDOT. The department is working toward a Traffic Management Center to manage signals remotely.
  • Sidewalks: The budget for critical sidewalk gaps is being cut in half for 2026 ($350k vs. $700k). DOMI proposed a new GIS tool developed with "Pittsburgh Walks" to inventory sidewalk conditions more accurately.
  • BRT & NFL Draft: Staff are dedicated to managing the commercial street bridge detour and other logistics for the upcoming NFL Draft, with BRT construction in Oakland/Uptown scheduled for completion in 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Staffing Requests: The department requested funding for a full-time Vision Zero coordinator, an Infrastructure Engagement Performance Manager, a Press Officer, and two seasonal laborers for the bridge division in 2026.
• Budget Spending: DOMI spent $73 million in capital funds in 2025, with $19 million directed to paving and $13 million to slope mitigation (Mount Washington).
• Future Milestones (2026):
  • Panther Hollow Bridge to reopen.
  • Automated red light enforcement to be deployed.
  • Traffic Management Center to go online.
  • BRT Oakland/Uptown construction to conclude.
  • Safe Streets for All grant planning to finalize.
• Legislative Streamlining: Council and DOMI agreed to revisit the process of aligning local agreements with PennDOT policies to reduce the number of legislative steps (currently ~80 per year) required for state-funded projects.
• Sidewalk Strategy: The department agreed to leverage the new GIS mapping tool and explore creative funding solutions, including potential policy shifts to reduce property owner liability, though no immediate budget change for city-funded sidewalk repairs was approved beyond the draft $350,000 allocation.