Heads up, friends! March 11 is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start filing your 311 requests with the City of Pittsburgh! If you’re wondering what kinds of issues should be reported to 311, consider the following mobility issues, for example:
- Crosswalks without ramps, making them inaccessible to wheelchair users
- City steps with missing railings, broken or missing steps, or poor lighting
- Areas with an abundance of illegal dumping or litter
- Broken-up sidewalks, making them difficult for stroller-pushers
- Vehicles parked on sidewalks, making them inaccessible to pedestrians
- Bike lanes with missing flexposts, allowing cars to park in them
If you’ve ever participated in one of my city steps walking tours, chances are I’ve mentioned the power of 311. I’m a big advocate for the system because it’s the first action residents can take to inform city departments of a problem.
Not everything you submit will get an immediate responses but in general, Pittsburgh 311 is a useful tool to communicate with city government. Response times vary by report type. Here are some examples of timelines you might see:
- Days: Icy city-owned sidewalks, broken traffic signals, an overflowing public trash can
- Weeks: Potholes in a bike lane, cutting back of overgrown weeds covering city steps
- Months or years: Items that require political willpower, significant funding, or other agencies such as PWSA or PennDOT.
Never Say Never!
Here’s an example of why you should never give up on 311: On June 12, 2022, I filed a 311 report to unclog the two drains on the Bloomfield Bridge pedestrian overpass. In fact, for many years, I didn’t even know there were drains as they were filled with dirt and weeds. No drainage made the stairs wet and icy. On March 2, 2024, I noticed the work had been done. Look at those lovely uncovered drains! Thank you to PWSA or PennDOTT – not sure who was responsible – but it’s a beautiful sight. These stairs will be much easier and safer to travel for many years to come.
