*Editor’s note: This story was updated on May 9 to correct the amount of sanitary water production a day ALCOSAN will produce upon completion of the East Ohio River Tunnel Project.

By Macklin Monaghan | Staff Writer

On March 11, the East Allegheny Community Council convened to discuss recent crime statistics in the area and the preliminary stages of the Ohio River Tunnel project, intended to implement a regional tunnel system with. The meeting took place in the Allegheny Center Alliance Church.

Commander Shawn Malloy of the Pittsburgh Police began the meeting covering recent crime statistics in East Allegheny. When asked if crime was decreasing, he said arrests are increasing.

Malloy said a lack of manpower has increased difficulty in serving; however more enforcers are anticipated to be recruited this summer in order to resolve this. Bicycle units are also to be introduced, which will bolster response time and allow officers to increase their mobility in tackling crime in East Allegheny, according to Malloy.

Residents shared their concerns about the safety of East Ohio Street. One member said, “I wouldn’t send a child alone down that street.” Malloy disclosed that it will not be an overnight process, but that the Northside is making progress towards being a safe space for everyone.

Representatives of The Allegheny Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN), opened their presentation by introducing the East Ohio River Tunnel Project.

The project is included in part of ALCOSAN’s clean water plan to establish a regional tunnel system, which will allocate sewer flows to the plant for treatment. Construction is estimated to begin in 2026 in the Northside, with the main facility situated near the Veterans Bridge.

According to ALCOSAN, this will reduce overflows by several billion gallons and in turn will increase sanitary water production from 250 million to 600 million gallons a day.

ALCOSAN has acquired other plots of land in order to construct sites of operation, both above and below the ground. Once built, the majority of land will be returned to the city of Pittsburgh for green space and recreational purposes, according to ALCOSAN representatives.

The project is to be implemented in a span of 15 years, and is firm on completion by 2036, according to the presentation and ALCOSAN’s website.

Members expressed concerns of noise pollution and traffic stemming from logistical operations. ALCOSAN officials disclosed that while they do not know the exact number of trucks commuting per day, future meetings will be held to update the community.

Next in the meeting, Transportation Planner Nancy Hirsch previewed the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s Regional Action Plan.

“Death and serious injury isn’t acceptable,” said Hirsch.

The plan outlined fatal statistics related to road safety and focuses on local developments to create a safer environment for residents. By bringing awareness to the community of fatal and life altering injury statistics provided through road accidents, Hirsch said that community members can make an impact through observing patterns and informing the Southwestern Pennsylvania commission (SPH). Hirsch also said that the SPH is in search of nominations from people affected by road injury or death to help in the development of this plan.

Hirsch then introduced a concept already taking place in parts of Pittsburgh. Implementation of new crosswalk platforms which will be raised above road level have been considered and constructed in places like Oakland, where the platform acts as both a walkway for pedestrians and a speed bump for vehicles. Hirsch says that the visual it provides drivers of pedestrians can greatly increase safety effectiveness.

Members were given an opportunity to voice recommendations and insight into how this plan could effectively improve road safety conditions in East Allegheny, prominently scrutinizing East Ohio Street.

One member said that these conceptual crosswalks could be potentially dangerous as they could exacerbate emergency vehicle transport times; however Hirsch explained that emergency vehicle services already slow down at intersections to avoid collisions.

The meeting concluded shortly after 9 p.m., and East Allegheny’s next meeting is scheduled for April 8. Minutes of the meeting can be found at deutschtown.org