OT: Replacing the Mon Incline

[CrazyPaco]

Notice of Privacy

Seriously, is this the stupidest thing leadership in Pittsburgh has ever proposed? Add to it how the article describes how the incline is one of the most cost effective public transportation system routes in the city.

Replacing or "significantly altering" one of the city's biggest tourist attractions? One of the city's most unique, photographed, and iconic features? It is like San Francisco proposing to replace their cable cars with buses.

How absolutely moronic are these people? The fact that it is even being broached as a possibility is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard proposed, and that is a pretty high bar on stupidity.

 

[Franb]

Notice of Privacy

Seriously, is this the stupidest thing leadership in Pittsburgh has ever proposed? Add to it how the article describes how the incline is one of the most cost effective public transportation system routes in the city.

Replacing or "significantly altering" one of the city's biggest tourist attractions? One of the city's most unique, photographed, and iconic features? It is like San Francisco proposing to replace their cable cars with buses.

How absolutely moronic are these people? The fact that it is even being broached as a possibility is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard proposed, and that is a pretty high bar on stupidity.

Would you rather have a modern facility that is reliable, or an historic one that is constantly closed for repairs? That seems to be a big part of this discussion. People will ride whatever is there. By the way, they are using shuttle busses now, because it is closed again.

 

[HailtoPitt]

Oddly enough, Steve Pederson is heading up the effort to replace the incline with schools busses that give people a free ride up the hill.

But if anything gets updated, they need to do something with the bottom access, were it currently requires people to walk along a very busy road and generally feels unsafe.

 

[Burgh15]

Would you rather have a modern facility that is reliable, or an historic one that is constantly closed for repairs? That seems to be a big part of this discussion. People will ride whatever is there. By the way, they are using shuttle busses now, because it is closed again.

This is a unique case because the historic nature of the incline is what makes it special and unique. Modernize the infrastructure while maintaining the historic look of the incline.

While talking about public transit, they really need to work on making an expansive rail system. That would truly transform the city.

 

[HailtoPitt]

This is a unique case because the historic nature of the incline is what makes it special and unique. Modernize the infrastructure while maintaining the historic look of the incline.

While talking about public transit, they really need to work on making an expansive rail system. That would truly transform the city.

That ship has long left port. Our civic leadership has failed us and are laughing themselves to the bank with the Rooney family. And people will continue to let them do it.

 

[CrazyPaco]

Would you rather have a modern facility that is reliable, or an historic one that is constantly closed for repairs? That seems to be a big part of this discussion. People will ride whatever is there. By the way, they are using shuttle busses now, because it is closed again.

The historic one that works. So would be the preference of everyone visiting Pittsburgh. So should the city or anyone that cares about the city.

This isn't an either or. This is fix the damn thing right. The current problem is "computer issue". You are going to replace something that just had an 8 million renovation because now you have a computer problem? Are they really that incompetent?

There has been talk of additional inclines or transportation from the hills for several years. The stupidest thing would be destroying the historic incline, instead of making it a centerpieces, in the process of addressing those needs.

 

[CrazyPaco]

This is a unique case because the historic nature of the incline is what makes it special and unique. Modernize the infrastructure while maintaining the historic look of the incline.

While talking about public transit, they really need to work on making an expansive rail system. That would truly transform the city.

I don't even think you modernize the infrastructure of this incline. The actual mechanisms should be a feature of the attraction. There are parts they currently have displayed behind glass, and that should be enhanced.

It's a similar idea to what San Francisco has done with the cable cars. The whole system of cables under the streets that these trolleys latch onto is still powered by the plant at the top of Nob Hill, which doubles as a working museum.

Install another incline or gondola or whatever if you want for pure transportation purposes. But the lack of foresight to preserve what makes Pittsburgh unique and attractive to any would be visitor is just mind blowing to me. The two inclines should be nurtured as centerpieces along with the Grandview Ave corridor. I can't think of any other city that would even consider proposing something like this, even as a hypothetical. Not even Johnstown would propose this.

 

[Gunga_Galunga]

Put this next to the firm hired to do the study on an NBA team for Pittsburgh.

I assume these crooks are just handing contracts for studies to people they know, because nobody could be this stupid.

 

[jtownknowitall]

Johnstown’s Incline has been closed for repairs for three years with no opening date in site. At what point do you just say they can no longer be fixed?

 

[upj87]

Johnstown’s Incline has been closed for repairs for three years with no opening date in site. At what point do you just say they can no longer be fixed?

Johnstown’s World's Steepest Vehicular Incline has been closed for repairs for three years.......,,,,,. there, I fixed it for ya.

 

[pittchagg]

The article I saw said that the transit authority wants to consider building a new, modern transportation option close to the incline that’s more reliable and won’t experience as much down time for the day to day commuters from Mt Washington who depend on the incline to get to work, while preserving and maintaining the incline as a museum/exhibition piece and tourist attraction. It doesn’t sound that ridiculous - nobody’s proposing tearing it down, they just want to think about what the options are to build some redundancy into the system.

 

[OH Pete]

Would you rather have a modern facility that is reliable, or an historic one that is constantly closed for repairs? That seems to be a big part of this discussion. People will ride whatever is there. By the way, they are using shuttle busses now, because it is closed again.

Smart people would be able to figure out how to modernize it yet retain the facade/charm of it.

 

[343MelwoodAve]

I take the incline to a lot of Pitt/pirates/steeler games and I’m not joking if I was on it in the summer and it broke down like that I think I’d die from heat stroke

 

[ChiefJusticeMarshall]

Notice of Privacy

Seriously, is this the stupidest thing leadership in Pittsburgh has ever proposed? Add to it how the article describes how the incline is one of the most cost effective public transportation system routes in the city.

Replacing or "significantly altering" one of the city's biggest tourist attractions? One of the city's most unique, photographed, and iconic features? It is like San Francisco proposing to replace their cable cars with buses.

How absolutely moronic are these people? The fact that it is even being broached as a possibility is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard proposed, and that is a pretty high bar on stupidity.

Well I agree with the sentiment, remember there are two inclines. The Duquesne Incline is actually the most famous and photographed, but more of a tourist attraction. The Mon incline is not as famous and photographed but actually has more function for residents.

 

[sonofabit]

Smart people would be able to figure out how to modernize it yet retain the facade/charm of it.

My solution is to get the Kennywood people down there. I mean, what are we talkin’about.

 

[OH Pete]

My solution is to get the Kennywood people down there. I mean, what are we talkin’about.

Good idea. If they can keep Noah's Ark, their old roller coasters and the Kangaroo operational, the incline should also be doable.

 

[Upg bobcat]

The article I saw said that the transit authority wants to consider building a new, modern transportation option close to the incline that’s more reliable and won’t experience as much down time for the day to day commuters from Mt Washington who depend on the incline to get to work, while preserving and maintaining the incline as a museum/exhibition piece and tourist attraction. It doesn’t sound that ridiculous - nobody’s proposing tearing it down, they just want to think about what the options are to build some redundancy into the system.

Right. It makes sense that the Mon Incline should be more of a tourist attraction and not a daily commute option for Mount Washington residents -- in which case they need an alternative for those residents. PRT (I still want to call it Port Authority) loves its buses, why can't they just give them a bus route?

I've always like the like the idea of building a tram from Mount Washington, although I think ideally you would have it go across the river, so perhaps that would work best closer to the Duquesne Incline and connect to the North Shore. That would be a neat attraction with amazing views, although it does nothing for the Mount Washington-to-downtown commuters.

 

[Franb]

I don't even think you modernize the infrastructure of this incline. The actual mechanisms should be a feature of the attraction. There are parts they currently have displayed behind glass, and that should be enhanced.

It's a similar idea to what San Francisco has done with the cable cars. The whole system of cables under the streets that these trolleys latch onto is still powered by the plant at the top of Nob Hill, which doubles as a working museum.

Install another incline or gondola or whatever if you want for pure transportation purposes. But the lack of foresight to preserve what makes Pittsburgh unique and attractive to any would be visitor is just mind blowing to me. The two inclines should be nurtured as centerpieces along with the Grandview Ave corridor. I can't think of any other city that would even consider proposing something like this, even as a hypothetical. Not even Johnstown would propose this.

No one is proposing anything, they are hiring a consultant to explore the options. What is wrong with that?

 

[upj87]

My solution is to get the Kennywood people down there. I mean, what are we talkin’about.

yep, either that or bring in the boys form Otis...Its basically an elevator...

 

[upj87]

No one is proposing anything, they are hiring a consultant to explore the options. What is wrong with that?

hiring a consultant.....uh, you just said it. Gotta wonder about the size of the universe of incline plane consultants out there...

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

I have an idea...

 

[NTOP]

I don't even think you modernize the infrastructure of this incline. The actual mechanisms should be a feature of the attraction. There are parts they currently have displayed behind glass, and that should be enhanced.

It's a similar idea to what San Francisco has done with the cable cars. The whole system of cables under the streets that these trolleys latch onto is still powered by the plant at the top of Nob Hill, which doubles as a working museum.

Install another incline or gondola or whatever if you want for pure transportation purposes. But the lack of foresight to preserve what makes Pittsburgh unique and attractive to any would be visitor is just mind blowing to me. The two inclines should be nurtured as centerpieces along with the Grandview Ave corridor. I can't think of any other city that would even consider proposing something like this, even as a hypothetical. Not even Johnstown would propose this.

I'm surprised Gainey hasn't proposed tiers of "affordable" housing that you access by walking up & down, like those Euro towns.

 

[pittdan77]

I have an idea...

Didn't someone propose doing a zipline?

 

[rmf05]

I thought that incline was managed by a non-profit made up of a bunch of folks who were enthusiasts? Maybe that's the other incline? As a long time PAT customer, I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, that they've mismanaged yet another mode of transportation. Maybe they should float a trial balloon with zeppelins?

 

[Dointhatrag]

The Duquesne incline is the one always shown thats the attraction

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

I have an idea...

Owen Hart would like to have a word

 

[TheWerewolfFromTwilight]

Owen Hart would like to have a word

That was him under the mask? Damn. Would not have guessed that.

 

[ChiefJusticeMarshall]

I'm surprised Gainey hasn't proposed tiers of "affordable" housing that you access by walking up & down, like those Euro towns.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Maybe they should float a trial balloon with zeppelins?

I see what you did there.

 

[CrazyPaco]

The Duquesne incline is the one always shown thats the attraction

The Duqusene Incline has the better photography angles, but no way is Duquesne the bigger tourist draw.

You have to think like a tourist. The Mon incline is right across from Station Square..you can park there, cross the street, go up and walk up and down the Grandview Ave sidewalk with wide open views and multiple viewing decks. There is nothing at the bottom of the Duquesne incline, nor really at the top...tourists aren't going up the incline to eat at the LeMont. The sidewalk on that section is really boxed in by buildings and houses affording few views.

The Mon incline, if you connect it to Station Square a little better...the Gateway Clippers are right there too, you take it up for the views...the whole stretch of Grandview is almost like a boardwalk...it should be Pittsburgh's boardwalk....lots of people walking around that street at night...they could make the Shiloh Street Shops a bigger thing.

Grandview should be nurtured to be more of a boardwalk type of place....at least with more shops up there. It is really a wasted opportunity right now...always has been. The whole stretch of Grandview between the two inclines should be considered so you can park at one or the other take one up, ride the other down, and have some stuff in between (I'm talking about things like ice cream shops or something).

Regardless, they can build additional transportation options to get down the hills, but if they alter the Mon incline, they are beyond short sighted.

 

[ben43]

Does the Mon Incline currently carry any historical designation that would limit “modernization”?

 

[HailtoPitt]

The Duqusene Incline has the better photography angles, but no way is Duquesne the bigger tourist draw.

You have to think like a tourist. The Mon incline is right across from Station Square..you can park there, cross the street, go up and walk up and down the Grandview Ave sidewalk with wide open views and multiple viewing decks. There is nothing at the bottom of the Duquesne incline, nor really at the top...tourists aren't going up the incline to eat at the LeMont. The sidewalk on that section is really boxed in by buildings and houses affording few views.

The Mon incline, if you connect it to Station Square a little better...the Gateway Clippers are right there too, you take it up for the views...the whole stretch of Grandview is almost like a boardwalk...it should be Pittsburgh's boardwalk....lots of people walking around that street at night...they could make the Shiloh Street Shops a bigger thing.

Grandview should be nurtured to be more of a boardwalk type of place....at least with more shops up there. It is really a wasted opportunity right now...always has been. The whole stretch of Grandview between the two inclines should be considered so you can park at one or the other take one up, ride the other down, and have some stuff in between (I'm talking about things like ice cream shops or something).

Regardless, they can build additional transportation options to get down the hills, but if they alter the Mon incline, they are beyond short sighted.

Most people involved in running these things and making necessary decisions are morons. Those with plans and vision have long left then city for higher paying jobs in more forward thinking locations. For example, were do you live?

 

[HailtoPitt]

Put this next to the firm hired to do the study on an NBA team for Pittsburgh.

I assume these crooks are just handing contracts for studies to people they know, because nobody could be this stupid.

That's a good bingo.

 

[ChiefJusticeMarshall]

Well I have the utmost confidence in this mayor and his team of advisors to do it right.

 

[ben43]

Does the Mon Incline currently carry any historical designation that would limit “modernization”?

OK. I found this on-line to answer my question.
“The Monongahela Incline was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and in 1977 both inclines were designated as Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Both inclines are today owned and operated by the Port Authority of Allegheny County.” - https://hawkinsrails.net, May 3, 2022.

These designations should at least put a speed bump into the path of modernization.

 

[HailtoPitt]

They should pledge a billion dollars for a new include that brings people directly to Stiller games!

 

[pierre93]

Johnstown’s Incline has been closed for repairs for three years with no opening date in site. At what point do you just say they can no longer be fixed?

Must be miserable now a days 4 u.

 

[TitoBeagle]

Johnstown’s Incline has been closed for repairs for three years with no opening date in site. At what point do you just say they can no longer be fixed?

Johnstown (Hellhole) has been closed for Decay for three years with no improvement in site. At what point do they just flood it and make a nice dam.

 

[CrazyPaco]

OK. I found this on-line to answer my question.
“The Monongahela Incline was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and in 1977 both inclines were designated as Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Both inclines are today owned and operated by the Port Authority of Allegheny County.” - https://hawkinsrails.net, May 3, 2022.

These designations should at least put a speed bump into the path of modernization.

Neither designation offers any legal protection.

 

[jtownknowitall]

Must be miserable now a days 4 u.

Good one, Jan!