Busy Oakland intersection to get major pedestrian safety improvements
Updated: 8:52 AM EST, February 17, 2026
The intersection of Fifth Avenue and North Dithridge Street in North Oakland is set to undergo significant upgrades to enhance pedestrian safety. The Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure plans to invest over $800,000 in state grant funding to address the lack of walk lights and improve overall safety.
Pedestrians in the area have long expressed concerns about their safety. Ryan Marini, a regular walker at the intersection, highlights the absence of walk lights, causing confusion and a sense of insecurity. "I feel unsafe when I’m walking because I could get hit, you know? So it’s scary," he said.
Many pedestrians take risks, crossing when they can, hoping to avoid accidents. Alexis Helsel, a frequent walker, describes the situation as a game of chance. "We kind of just go when we want to and hope nobody hits us," she said.
The city's commitment to road safety is evident through the collaboration with PennDOT's Automated Red Light Enforcement Transportation Grant Program. This program funds road safety projects using fines from red light violations. The intersection has a history of crashes, including a 2020 incident where a 94-year-old woman was hit by an ACCESS bus.
Leena Nahlawi, another pedestrian, emphasizes the need for improved car-pedestrian interactions. "I think that cars don’t stop here as often as they should for pedestrians, so I think any improvement would be a good improvement," she said.
The planned upgrades include LED street lighting, larger traffic signals for drivers, concrete bump-outs to shorten crossing distances, and countdown pedestrian signals with audible alerts. These improvements aim to make the intersection safer and more user-friendly.
Asha Vellody and Aletha Gajula, both pedestrians, expressed enthusiasm for the changes. "I think that’s lovely. They just did that by Hillman, and it was really nice. It has a four-way cross, and it yells at us when we walk, and it’s perfect," said Asha Vellody. "The weather’s getting warmer, everyone’s walking more, too. And that’s like a big thing. In fact, these are such busy streets for the students. So I think 100% could save lives," said Aletha Gajula.
Pedestrians are grateful for the improvements and hope similar changes are made across Oakland. The city council acknowledges the impact of the ARLE program on mobility and street safety, expressing pride in the state's contribution to the project. The upgrades are expected to be implemented later this year, bringing a safer and more accessible environment to the community.
