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PNC return could boost Downtown Pittsburgh's daytime rebound

Thousands of PNC workers will return to Downtown later this spring.

News

Thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PNC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/13/pnc-unveils-new-indy-car-design" data-vars-content-id="4f2520b0-204b-4009-b50e-15bf6485874f" data-vars-headline="PNC return could boost Downtown Pittsburgh&#x27;s daytime rebound" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/13/pnc-unveils-new-indy-car-design" target="_self">PNC</a> workers will return to Downtown later this spring, and the company&#x27;s Pittsburgh regional head says it could help jumpstart the neighborhood&#x27;s daytime rebound.Why it matters: Since the pandemic, Downtown has recovered in terms of restaurant, entertainment and sports visitors, but weekday office worker recovery has been slow.

Penn Hills' new retro tech museum opens for tours

Free tours feature early computers and an '80s living room.

Things to Do

Penn Hills&#x27; long-awaited retro tech museum is now open for limited-capacity tours.The big picture: After months of renovations and exhibit buildout, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bloop Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/16/tech-museum-penn-hills-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="daf095ad-da55-466c-9b93-44e8ef39fd0f" data-vars-headline="Penn Hills&#x27; new retro tech museum opens for tours" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/16/tech-museum-penn-hills-pittsburgh" target="_self">Bloop Museum</a> in the former Penn Hills Municipal Building is opening in phases — first debuting early computing displays and a re-created &#x27;80s living room (think plaid couches, a console TV and Atari 2600).

Pittsburgh's abolitionist history gains new spotlight

New exhibit highlights the city's role in the Underground Railroad and Black-led activism.

History

Pittsburgh&#x27;s deep history with the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement is still being uncovered.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s role in abolishing slavery hasn&#x27;t been widely taught, Museum of African American History at the Heinz History Center associate curator Alonna Carter-Donaldson told Axios.

Pa. travelers urged to take precautions in Mexico

Sen. Dave McCormick urges travelers to enroll in STEP and monitor flight updates.

Politics & Policy

U.S. Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dave McCormick" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/28/mccormick-urges-review-of-research-grants" data-vars-content-id="e3a13e27-9aa3-4f7e-9f9e-b03ebb6b7c91" data-vars-headline="Pa. travelers urged to take precautions in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/04/28/mccormick-urges-review-of-research-grants" target="_self">Dave McCormick</a> is advising Pennsylvanians in Mexico to stay in close contact with the U.S. State Department.The big picture: Violence following the killing of a Mexican cartel leader has erupted in Mexico, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaving some Americans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/23/chicagoans-caught-mexico-drug-violence-el-mencho-death" data-vars-content-id="e3a13e27-9aa3-4f7e-9f9e-b03ebb6b7c91" data-vars-headline="Pa. travelers urged to take precautions in Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/23/chicagoans-caught-mexico-drug-violence-el-mencho-death" target="_self">leaving some Americans</a> — and potentially Pittsburghers — stuck in a tough situation.

All-door boarding coming to University Line

Riders can board through any door on the new rapid-transit line starting in 2027.

Transit

The city&#x27;s newest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rapid-transit bus line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/28/bus-rapid-transit-university-line-launch-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="5066ea8d-740a-4ded-99a6-2e936371ed69" data-vars-headline="All-door boarding coming to University Line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/07/28/bus-rapid-transit-university-line-launch-pittsburgh" target="_self">rapid-transit bus line</a> will make boarding faster and easier.Why it matters: Pittsburgh Regional Transit will implement all-door boarding on all <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University Line buses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rideprt.org/inside-Pittsburgh-Regional-Transit/projects-and-programs/bus-rapid-transit/BRT-service/" data-vars-content-id="5066ea8d-740a-4ded-99a6-2e936371ed69" data-vars-headline="All-door boarding coming to University Line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rideprt.org/inside-Pittsburgh-Regional-Transit/projects-and-programs/bus-rapid-transit/BRT-service/" target="_blank">University Line buses</a> starting in 2027, when the line is scheduled to be complete, aiming to make travel more efficient.

Smithfield Street is getting a new look

The city is moving ahead with a major Smithfield Street rebuild aimed at safety and outdoor dining.

An overlooked corridor in Downtown is getting some TLC.Why it matters: Downtown&#x27;s evolution has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="benefited public parks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/06/downtown-development-pittsburgh-park-nfl-draft" data-vars-content-id="77c7c6b2-13a2-47d9-bd15-4d232e56bca8" data-vars-headline="Smithfield Street is getting a new look" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/02/06/downtown-development-pittsburgh-park-nfl-draft" target="_self">benefited public parks</a> and the Cultural District, but Smithfield Street hasn&#x27;t seen as much investment.

UPMC gives $10M to city for plows, ambulances

A third of Pittsburgh's plows failed this week. Now the city is getting 35 new vehicles.

New <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/26/snow-emergency-pittsburgh-recovery" data-vars-content-id="1b6edff0-b73e-44e8-bf02-664c4e8b1cfe" data-vars-headline="UPMC gives $10M to city for plows, ambulances" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/26/snow-emergency-pittsburgh-recovery" target="_self">plows</a> and more emergency response vehicles are on the way.Why it matters: After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a third of Pittsburgh&#x27;s snowplows broke down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/26/pittsburgh-road-conditions-winter-storm" data-vars-content-id="1b6edff0-b73e-44e8-bf02-664c4e8b1cfe" data-vars-headline="UPMC gives $10M to city for plows, ambulances" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/26/pittsburgh-road-conditions-winter-storm" target="_self">a third of Pittsburgh&#x27;s snowplows broke down</a> earlier this week, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UPMC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/09/upmc-removes-diversity-lgbtq-content" data-vars-content-id="1b6edff0-b73e-44e8-bf02-664c4e8b1cfe" data-vars-headline="UPMC gives $10M to city for plows, ambulances" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/09/upmc-removes-diversity-lgbtq-content" target="_self">UPMC</a> announced Thursday that it is donating $10 million to the city to purchase new plows, ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

Sneckdowns reveal safer street design ideas

Snow piles show where cars don't drive — and where cities can reclaim space.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s covered in sneckdowns — the snow piles left over on streets after plows clear paths for vehicles.Why it matters: Sneckdowns provide a blueprint for the potential <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redesign of streets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/03/pittsburgh-bike-lane-penn-avenue" data-vars-content-id="1efe0350-279b-419d-935b-71480bac336e" data-vars-headline="Sneckdowns reveal safer street design ideas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/03/pittsburgh-bike-lane-penn-avenue" target="_self">redesign of streets</a> to make them safer for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, said Eric Boerer, advocacy director for nonprofit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bike Pittsburgh" data-vars-click-url="https://bikepgh.org/2024/06/20/faq-penn-ave-bike-lane-proposal-strip-district/" data-vars-content-id="1efe0350-279b-419d-935b-71480bac336e" data-vars-headline="Sneckdowns reveal safer street design ideas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bikepgh.org/2024/06/20/faq-penn-ave-bike-lane-proposal-strip-district/" target="_blank">Bike Pittsburgh</a>.

Why the overnight train from Chicago to Pittsburgh may beat flying

A sleeper car, no TSA lines and surprisingly good Wi-Fi made this trip better than flying.

Don&#x27;t sleep on the overnight train between Pittsburgh and Chicago.Why it matters: When factoring in security wait times, travel to and from airports and general comfort, taking the train isn&#x27;t as crazy as you might think, especially if you ride in style.

Pittsburgh's 2026 is bigger than you can fathom

The NFL Draft, World Cup events and major arts festivals will put Pittsburgh on a global stage.

The stars are aligning for Pittsburgh in an unprecedented manner.Why it matters: Infrastructure improvements, massive events and returning crowds this year will inject hundreds of millions in economic impact into a city and region that are wading through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget issues" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/local/a-guide-to-pittsburghs-budget-crisis/" data-vars-content-id="694dc2de-5b32-4ba0-869b-92b9336f284b" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh&#x27;s 2026 is bigger than you can fathom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/local/a-guide-to-pittsburghs-budget-crisis/" target="_blank">budget issues</a>.

Pittsburgh lands direct flights to Dublin

The new route follows a $1.7 billion terminal upgrade at PIT and growing business ties with Ireland.

The Emerald Isle is calling.Why it matters: Less than a month after opening a massive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.7 billion terminal upgrade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/17/pittsburgh-airport-new-terminal-opens" data-vars-content-id="28e46778-4cd2-4274-9ce6-1f7d0c86aa3d" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh lands direct flights to Dublin" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/17/pittsburgh-airport-new-terminal-opens" target="_self">$1.7 billion terminal upgrade</a>, Pittsburgh International Airport may already be reaping some of the benefits with a new route to Ireland.

Waymo eyes driverless taxi rollout in Pittsburgh

Waymo will begin manual testing Downtown before moving to autonomous trials.

The Steel City could have driverless taxis in the near future, if everything goes according to Waymo&#x27;s plans.Why it matters: Autonomous vehicle company Waymo is in the midst of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="robotaxi expansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/robotaxis-waymo-may-zoox-tesla" data-vars-content-id="78abf9b9-34b7-420a-a1db-dedf7eb9d3d2" data-vars-headline="Waymo eyes driverless taxi rollout in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/28/robotaxis-waymo-may-zoox-tesla" target="_self">robotaxi expansion</a>, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/waymo/status/1996217860440412641?s=46" data-vars-content-id="78abf9b9-34b7-420a-a1db-dedf7eb9d3d2" data-vars-headline="Waymo eyes driverless taxi rollout in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/waymo/status/1996217860440412641?s=46" target="_blank">Pittsburgh</a> is one of 19 additional U.S. cities coming online in the next year or two, the company announced Wednesday in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blog post" data-vars-click-url="https://waymo.com/blog?modal=short-waymo-coming-to-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="78abf9b9-34b7-420a-a1db-dedf7eb9d3d2" data-vars-headline="Waymo eyes driverless taxi rollout in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://waymo.com/blog?modal=short-waymo-coming-to-pittsburgh" target="_blank">blog post</a>.

First large snowstorm of season to hit Pittsburgh

The region could see up to 5 inches of snow early Tuesday morning. Roads may be slick.

Here comes the snow.Why it matters: The Pittsburgh region will see its first significant snowfall of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/01/pittsburgh-december-events" data-vars-content-id="84aa9a5f-96db-4cdf-a803-f2993b8a2853" data-vars-headline="First large snowstorm of season to hit Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/12/01/pittsburgh-december-events" target="_self">season</a> Tuesday, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh office of the National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/NWSPittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="84aa9a5f-96db-4cdf-a803-f2993b8a2853" data-vars-headline="First large snowstorm of season to hit Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/NWSPittsburgh" target="_blank">Pittsburgh office of the National Weather Service</a>.

We rode the new Penn Ave. bike lane

Drivers, cyclists and businesses are still adjusting to the redesign.

<figure><img alt="A moving image of riding a bike down a white and green painted bike lane next to a black SUV riding in the street. " height="449" id="9d50c25f-10c2-443d-95a2-759f60995aa6" src="https://images.axios.com/J2TyqnGnHdTOMrFOqh5sDc_J4HY=/2025/11/24/1764012078222.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Drivers and cyclists can share Penn Avenue! GIF: Ryan Deto/Axios</figcaption></figure>Pittsburgh&#x27;s newest bike lane is here, and we got a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-hand look" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRctXA7jwmj/" data-vars-content-id="bdd5f642-4600-4c0f-800f-e73abc8e3f74" data-vars-headline="We rode the new Penn Ave. bike lane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRctXA7jwmj/" target="_blank">first-hand look</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="road redesign project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/03/pittsburgh-bike-lane-penn-avenue" data-vars-content-id="bdd5f642-4600-4c0f-800f-e73abc8e3f74" data-vars-headline="We rode the new Penn Ave. bike lane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/06/03/pittsburgh-bike-lane-penn-avenue" target="_self">road redesign project</a> ruffled feathers during its design process and is still garnering complaints after it was completed this month.

🚍 Chart du jour: Our close bus stops

U.S. cities with the shortest median space between bus stops

A bar chart that shows median distances between bus stops in 10 U.S. cities as of 2021. Philadelphia has the shortest median spacing at 564 feet, while Houston has the longest at 840 feet. Most cities range between 600 and 800 feet, indicating varied transit stop density.

Transit 🚗

U.S. cities with the shortest median space between bus stops

All-door boarding coming to University Line

PIT opens new play area

Smithfield Street is getting a new look

UPMC gives $10M to city for plows, ambulances