{"id":144,"date":"2010-03-19T23:50:31","date_gmt":"2010-03-20T04:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pahighways.com\/blog\/?p=144"},"modified":"2024-01-01T17:45:32","modified_gmt":"2024-01-01T22:45:32","slug":"hov-lanes-inaugural-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pahighways.com\/blog\/2010\/03\/19\/hov-lanes-inaugural-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"HOV Lanes Inaugural Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

OK, so it has taken a little over 20 years to drive the only HOV lanes in Pennsylvania, but who\u2019s counting?\u00a0 There are many reasons why I\u2019ve never driven them to this point. The biggest reason being is I\u2019ve only lived east or south of Pittsburgh. So it didn\u2019t make sense to utilize them when taking the Parkway North.\u00a0 That was until today. After a quick stop in Shadyside, I continued on my journey north to Ross Park Mall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The lanes comprise the third Port Authority of Allegheny County busway, built as part of Interstate 279<\/a> and Interstate 579<\/a>. However, personal vehicles are permitted to use this busway unlike the other three.\u00a0 They are HOV+2 and inbound one-way for the morning rush and outbound one-way for the evening rush and weekends.<\/p>\r\n

The Trip<\/h5>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"Crossing
The entrance at Bedford Street near the Mellon Arena leads down a long ramp that is initially two lanes as it crosses PA 380\/Bigelow Boulevard; however, it narrows to one to cross the Veterans Bridge. Of course, when reversed, it\u2019s one lane that widens into two.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"Crossing
Crossing the Allegheny River on Veterans Bridge on State Route 6579 which is the PennDOT inventory designation for the HOV lane on Interstate 579.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"Passing
In the East Street Valley, where the other lone HOV lane from the North Shore joins the one from Interstate 579 to create a two-lane roadway designated by PennDOT as State Route 6279.\u00a0 It\u2019s like the First Class section of the Parkway North!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"Approaching
Approaching the McKnight Road interchange in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. Just as at the I-279\/PA 28 interchange south on the North Side, the lanes split here as well. One exits to McKnight Road, while the other continues north to Perrysville Avenue and eventually to merge into the mainline.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For more on the lanes, check out the North Hills Busway\/North Hills Expressway HOV Lanes<\/a> page over at Pittsburgh Highways<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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