Washington Junction T station lot adding more spaces
The park and ride lot near the Washington Junction T station gets crowded with commuter cars early most weekdays, and in a few months, even more vehicles will park there.
Bethel Park Council approved Port Authority of Allegheny County’s plan to repave and expand the lot at the meeting June 8. The project, which will be completed this summer, is rather controversial, since Port Authority plans to change the layout to fit more vehicles in an already cramped lot.
“I think that’s just a bad plan,” said councilman Paul Dixon. “People will experience some new dings by parking there.”
Dixon suggested that Port Authority could accommodate more commuters if it would reduce the fee charged at the South Hills Village parking garage. Many commuters choose the Washington Junction lot because it’s less expensive to park there.
Dixon and councilman James Hannan dissented on the motion to approve the project, but the measure passed by a 5-2 vote. Council members John Pape and Brandon Colella were absent.
Council president Tim Moury said he also had concerns about the project, but the municipality’s planning and zoning boards studied the project extensively and approved the necessary variances, albeit on split votes.
The lot has space for about 250 vehicles, but when the project is complete, it should have 302 spaces.
The lot capacity will plummet during construction. About 100 spaces will be available during the repaving. Crews will work on half of the lot at a time, before moving to the other half.
The entire project should be complete in about four months and Port Authority hopes to begin construction this summer.
In other business, council:
• Approved Cool Springs Sports Complex’s request to change zoning on part of its property on Baptist and Hamilton roads from R-3 to R-T, because the company plans to build town homes there.
• Agreed to apply for a grant through the state Department of Community and Economic Development for various improvements to Simmons Park.
• Awarded contracts for storm sewer and under drain improvements to be completed this summer. Morgan Excavating of Belle Vernon will redo the storm sewers on portions of Dalmation Drive, Cairn Drive, Library Road, Kings School Road, Boulder Drive and Leprechaun Drive for $138,241. El Grande Industries of Monessen will work on the under drains on Southampton Drive, Hull Drive and possibly Monongahela Avenue for $42,618.