Student liaison urges pedestrian upgrades on Cochran Road, calls for portal improvements at transit approach

The student liaison told the Mount Lebanon Resiliency Advisory Board on June 24 that several corridors near Uptown, including Cochran Road between Cedar Road and Bauer Hill Road, need safety improvements to make them more walkable for students and residents.

The liaison described narrow sidewalks, long blocks without crosswalks and numerous curb cuts that create a fast-driving environment and discourage lingering or walking. "There's no requirement that it has to reach that [urban feel], but for future development, it'd be nice if the parking at least was behind the buildings rather than in front," the student liaison said, urging changes that would prioritize pedestrian crossings and smaller curb aprons.

The student also raised Parsway (the transit-station approach) as a gateway problem, urging a continuous walkway and improved portal instead of a descending stairway that presents a poor entry to uptown. Staff responded that some funding exists for activated lighting and artwork at the portal, and that the same vendor who worked on downtown bridges is engaged for lighting and art in the portal area.

Why it matters: Cochran Road and Parsway improvements affect pedestrian safety for students, transit riders and residents; design changes would impact accessibility and how nearby business districts function.

Next steps: staff said there is some commission funding to begin portal artwork and lighting, and suggested the student liaison and board coordinate with planning staff and PennDOT where state-owned right-of-way is involved.