Blue Line – Library
| Blue Line - Library | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | |||
| Owner | Port Authority of Allegheny County | ||
| Locale | Pittsburgh | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | Light rail | ||
| Operator(s) | Port Authority of Allegheny County | ||
| Technical | |||
| Track gauge | 62.5 | ||
| |||
|}
The Blue Line – Library (formerly the 47L Library via Overbrook) is a line on the Pittsburgh Light Rail system that runs between Library and Downtown Pittsburgh via the Overbrook neighborhood.
Route
The line begins in Library in South Park and runs north to Willow through Bethel Park, providing a transfer to the Red Line, which runs via Beechview. The Blue Line – Library continues north through Overbrook, Brookline, Carrick, Bon Air, and Beltzhoover. At South Hills Junction the Blue Line – Library rejoins the Beechview line and the Brown Line, which runs over Mount Washington through the Allentown neighborhood. The Blue Line – Library runs through the Mount Washington Transit Tunnel, stopping at Station Square before crossing the Monongahela River on the Panhandle Bridge. Reaching downtown at First Avenue, the Blue Line – Library proceeds underground to Steel Plaza and Wood Street. At the end of the line, the tracks circle back before arriving at the single platform Gateway Center station, preparing to travel outbound.
History
The line from South Hills Junction to Castle Shannon (now called the Overbrook Line) was first constructed by the Pittsburgh and Castle Shannon Railroad (P&CSRR) between 1872 and 1874.[1] In 1905 Pittsburgh Railways leased the route and between 1909 and 1910 converted it from narrow gauge to dual gauge and installed overhead power for trolleys.
The line was reopened on June 2, 2004 following major work which included doubling of the track and elimination of many traditional street level trolley stops in favour of 8 new LRV style stations with platforms.[2]
Stations
| Station Name | Station Type | Other Services | Municipality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library | high level | South Park | |
| West Library | high level | South Park | |
| Sandy Creek | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Beagle | street level | Bethel Park | |
| King's School | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Logan | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Sarah | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Latimer | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Munroe | street level | Bethel Park | |
| South Park | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Mesta | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Lytle | high level | Bethel Park | |
| Center | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Lindermer | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Hillcrest | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Mine 3 | street level | Bethel Park | |
| Washington Junction | high level | Red Line, Blue Line - South Hills Village | Bethel Park |
| Smith Road | street level | Red Line | Castle Shannon |
| St. Anne's | street level | Red Line | Castle Shannon |
| Martin Villa | street level | Red Line | Castle Shannon |
| Willow | high level | Blue Line - South Hills Village | Castle Shannon |
| Memorial Hall | high level | Blue Line - South Hills Village | Castle Shannon |
| Linden Grove (closed) | street level | Blue Line - South Hills Village | Castle Shannon |
| Killarney | high level | Blue Line - South Hills Village | Castle Shannon |
| McNeilly | high level | Blue Line - South Hills Village | Pittsburgh |
| South Bank | high level | Blue Line - South Hills Village | Pittsburgh |
| Denise | high level | Blue Line - South Hills Village | Pittsburgh |
| Bon Air | high level | Blue Line - South Hills Village | Pittsburgh |
| Boggs | high level | Blue Line - South Hills Village | Pittsburgh |
| South Hills Junction | high level | Red Line, Blue Line - South Hills Village, Brown Line | Pittsbugh |
| Station Square | high level | Red Line, Blue Line - South Hills Village | Pittsburgh |
| First Avenue | high level | Red Line, Blue Line - South Hills Village, Brown Line | Pittsburgh |
| Steel Plaza | underground | Red Line, Blue Line - South Hills Village, Brown Line | Pittsburgh |
| Wood Street | underground | Red Line, Blue Line - South Hills Village, Brown Line | Pittsburgh |
| Gateway Center | underground | Red Line, Blue Line - South Hills Village, Brown Line | Pittsburgh |
| North Side | underground | Red Line, Blue Line - Library, Blue Line - South Hills Village, Brown Line | Pittsburgh |
| Allegheny | high level | Red Line, Blue Line - Library, Blue Line - South Hills Village, Brown Line | Pittsburgh |
References
- ^ "Historic American Engineering Record - Pittsburgh & Castle Shannon Railroad, Reflectorville Viaduct, Overbrook Trolley Line, crossing near Edgebrook Av, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA". Retrieved March 20, 2010.
- ^ JW, RAH (July 1, 2004). "Five cities dedicate light rail lines". Railway Gazette. Retrieved July 29, 2010.