Penn Avenue
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2011) |
Length | 8.7 mi (14.0 km) |
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Component highways |
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Location | Pittsburgh |
West end | Liberty Avenue in Downtown |
Major junctions | Stanwix Street in Downtown Fifth Avenue in Downtown PA 380 (Centre Avenue) in East Liberty PA 8 (Fifth Avenue) in Larimer PA 8 (Ardmore Blvd) in Wilkinsburg |
East end | Greensburg Pike near Wilkinsburg |
Penn Avenue is a major arterial street in
From downtown, Penn Avenue travels in the same general direction as the
History
Before being named Penn Avenue it was known as the Great Road, being perhaps the only road leading from east of the Allegheny Mountains to the headwaters of the Ohio River. It may have been known as the Great Road when George Washington traveled it, in 1753.[2] In the 18th century, settlers entered the area from the eastern part of Pennsylvania via a road which came to be called the Greensburg Pike early in the 19th century. The road passed through a tiny settlement which grew to become Greensburg, Pa. In Pittsburgh, Greensburg Pike became Penn Avenue, therefore, Penn Avenue is the oldest and most historically significant street in Pittsburgh.
Bike infrastructure
In early 2014, the City of Pittsburgh announced the installation of the first set of protected bike lanes in the area. After deliberation, it was decided that Penn Avenue would be the candidate for the lanes. The eastbound lane of Penn Avenue was removed from the David McCullough Bridge to 6th Street in Downtown to provide protected bike lanes. The lanes have provided bikers with a safe and effective way of leaving Downtown.[3]