West Liberty Avenue at the intersection with Brookline Boulevard (left) and Wenzel Avenue (right) in June 1916.
The roadway proceeds south to the city line and border with Dormont, located at Pioneer Avenue

West Liberty Avenue, which runs along Plummers Run Creek, was first laid out in 1839. The roadway extended from Saw Mill Run and the Bell House Tavern southward to the intersection with Potomac Avenue in Dormont. Rail lines were installed in the early 1900s to service the growing communities of West Liberty Borough, which would soon be annexed into the City of Pittsburgh. The city line, located at the southern terminus of Pioneer Avenue, was established in 1908 with the annexation of Beechview and Brookline.

As the southern population boomed, West Liberty Avenue was soon in need of infrastructure improvements, including modernization of the road surface and trolley line. The renovation process, which began in 1910, was an ongoing project which reached its zenith in 1915. There were many challenges involved. Several residential homes and businesses were located along the construction route. Some had to be moved out of the construction path. Trolley service, which was the main mode of transportation for most people, could not be disrupted. Construction materials were transported by rail to a staging area at Pioneer Avenue and hauled by wagon to the construction zones.

Storm and sewer lines were trenched and run along the entire roadway. Plummers Run Creek was channeled into underground culverts. Utility poles were relocated and new lighting installed. The roadway was widened to four lanes and completely paved in belgian block. The entire stretch of the rail line was reconstructed. Sidewalks and other amenities completed the transformation. The reconstruction was completed in December 1915. It was a major civic and transportation improvement, much of which remained in use without change for nearly seventy years. The blocks and trolley tracks are still there today, forming the base of the current asphalt roadway.

The sequence of photos below shows the 1915 construction project as it proceeded in stages. When completed, the roadway's appearance had dramatically changed. West Liberty Avenue was now a major artery connecting the City of Pittsburgh with the South Hills and beyond. It was ready for the advent of motorized transportation. This project was vital for the continued growth of the southern communities.

March 1915    April 1915    May 1915    July 1915    August 1915    October 1915    December 1915    June 1916

<Compare with West Liberty Avenue in 1912>

Click on images for larger pictures

March 1915

West Liberty Avenue at the intersection with Brookline Boulevard and Wenzel Avenue in March 1915.
The narrow dirt roadway was paved only along the trolley line, which doubled as a pedestrian walkway.

The West Liberty reconstruction project began with the installation of modern storm and sewer lines. A trench was dug from the city line north to Warrington Avenue. Crews followed to construct the brick and concrete base. Many property owners ceded much of their front yards for the upgrades. Some had to be moved. One home that needed moved stood at the corner of West Liberty and Warrington Avenues.

  
From the City Line at the border with Dormont (left) and near Stapleton Avenue (right) looking north.

  
Approaching the intersection with Brookline Boulevard (left) and from Saranac Avenue (right) looking north.

  
At Belle Isle Avenue (left) and approaching Pauline Avenue (right) looking north.

At Ray Avenue looking north towards the bend that leads to Curran Hill and Capital Avenues.

  
Beyond Ray Avenue looking north (left) and approaching the intersection of Curran Hill and Capital Avenues (right).

  
Approaching Stetson Street (left) looking north and between Stetson and Cape May Avenue (right) looking south.

  
Approaching Cape May Avenue (left) and Brookside Avenue (right) looking north.

  
Looking south towards Brookside Avenue (left) and looking south from near the Pioneer Avenue intersection.

  
Looking north at Pioneer Avenue (left) and looking south from the corner of West Liberty and Warrington Avenues.

  
The front and rear of the home at West Liberty and Warrington that stood in the construction path.

April 1915

The intersection of Brookline West Liberty Avenue and Saranac Avenue in April 1915 looking north.

The photos below show the trenching of the sewer line that ran the length of West Liberty Avenue. The home at the corner of Warrington Avenue that blocked the construction path was eventually lifted and moved out of the way.

  
Sewer line work near Saranac Avenue (left), and at Brookside Avenue, both looking south.

  
Sewer line north of Brookside Avenue. The work went quickly.

  
Sewer line work near Brookside Avenue, looking south (left) and north.

  
Sewer line work north of the intersection with Pioneer Avenue, approaching Warrington Avenue. The home that stands in line with the trench caused a delay until arrangements were made to lift and move the home out of the construction path.

  
Left - The home was moved to a secure place. Right - View from near Pioneer Avenue looking south.

  
Once the home was moved construction proceeded to the corner of West Liberty and Warrington Avenues.

May 1915

The intersection of Brookline Boulevard, West Liberty Avenue and Wenzel Avenue in May 1915. This photo was taken
from the grounds of the Kerr estate, which ran along the lower left side Wenzel Avenue for many years.

The photos below show the installation of 10' by 6' sewer line at the northern end of West Liberty Avenue, near the intersection with Pioneer, Saw Mill Run and Warrington Avenues.

  
Sewer line work near the intersection with Pioneer Avenue.

  
Sewer line near Pioneer Avenue (left) and the 10' by 6' line near the northern end of West Liberty Avenue.

The intersection of West Liberty and Warrington Avenues, showing the home that was moved away from the sewer path.

July 1915

West Liberty Avenue at the intersection with Brookline Boulevard and Wenzel Avenue in July 1915.
Sewer line work is complete, the new trolley lines are in place and road paving has begun.

By July of 1915, sewer lines had been laid on the southern end of West Liberty Avenue. New trolley lines were in place. The expanded roadway was being leveled and prepared for paving.

  
Trenching for the new sewer line near Stetson Street.

  
A Marion Steam Shovel and the resulting sewer trench north of Cape May Avenue.

  
Sewer construction north of Cape May Avenue (left) and the project staging area at Pioneer Avenue.
Materials were brought by rail, unloaded and transported were needed.

A new railroad abutment was constructed at Pioneer Avenue so to support the
widening of West Liberty Avenue. The existing abutment blocked the path.

  
View from near Pioneer Avenue (left) looking north and from Warrington Avenue (right) looking south.

Sewer and storm runoff emptied into Saw Mill Run Creek and flowed west to the Ohio River.

August 1915

West Liberty Avenue at the intersection with Brookline Boulevard and Wenzel Avenue in August 1915
showing the progress of the construction project on this southern section of the roadway.

By August 1915, the southern portion of the West Liberty Avenue expansion was nearing completion. The project was not as far along near Capital Avenue and sections further north. Much work remained to be completed. The sewer lines gradually increased in size and scope in the northern portions of the roadway.

  
From the City Line at the border with Dormont (left) and near Stapleton Avenue (right) looking north.

  
Beyond Brookline Boulevard (left) and at Saranac Avenue (right) looking north.

  
Approaching Belle Isle Avenue (left) and Pauline Avenue (right) looking north.

  
Approaching Ray Avenue (left) and the intersection with Curran Hill and Capital Avenues (right) looking north.

  
Sewer trench between Ray Avenue and Capital Avenue looking north (left) and south (right).

View from Capital Avenue looking south showing two 39Brookline trolley cars heading north towards downtown Pittsburgh.

  
Sewer line trench near Ray Avenue looking south.

  
Approaching Curran Hill Avenue and Capital Avenue looking north.

  
Sewer trench near Stetson Street looking north.

  
The sewer trench near Cape May Avenue, looking north.

  
Looking north from Brookside Avenue (left) and looking south from Pioneer Avenue (right).

  
Looking towards the intersection with Pioneer Avenue from the south (left) and north (right).

October 1915

West Liberty Avenue at the intersection with Ray Avenue looking north towards the intersection with Capital Avenue.

By October 1915 progress had been made near Capital Avenue and sections further north. The upgraded trolley tracks were being laid and the roadway prepared for paving.

  
Approaching Ray Avenue (right) and from Stetson Street (right) looking north.

  
View from Cape May Avenue (left) and Brookside Avenue (right) looking north.

  
Looking towards the intersection with Pioneer Avenue from the south (left) and north (right).

Looking towards Pioneer Avenue from the intersection of West Liberty and Warrington Avenues.

December 1915

West Liberty Avenue near the intersection with Wenzel Avenue (left) and Brookline Boulevard (right) in December 1915.

By December 1915 the project was at or near completion. After the belgian block roadway was completed, it was covered in sand and dirt, which was then packed down by the constant wagon traffic. Eventually it would either seep down between the bricks or be washed away by the rain.

  
Approaching Saranac Avenue (left) and Belle Isle Avenue (right) looking north.

  
Approaching Pauline Avenue (left) and Ray Avenue (right) looking north.

Looking north from Ray Avenue towards the intersection with Curran Hill and Capital Avenues.

  
Approaching Curran Hill and Capital Avenues (left) and at Stetson Street (right) looking north.

  
At Cape May Avenue (left) and Brookside Avenue (right) looking north.

Looking south from the Pioneer Avenue intersection.

  
Looking north towards Pioneer Avenue (left) and looking south from the corner of West Liberty and Warrington Avenues.

June 1916

West Liberty Avenue at the intersection with Brookline Boulevard (left) and Wenzel Avenue (right) in June 1916.
The roadway proceeds south to the city line and border with Dormont, located at Pioneer Avenue

By June of 1916 the West Liberty Avenue reconstruction project was complete. The discomfort and disruption to the homeowners, travellers and trolley service were over. Life could get back to normal. This major improvement in both civic and transportation infrastructure was a major influence in the growth and development of the southern neighborhoods of the City of Pittsburgh and the suburban communities of the South Hills.

  
From the City Line (left) and from near Stapleton Avenue (right) looking north.

  
From Brookline Boulevard (left) and at Saranac Avenue (right) looking north.

Approaching Pauline Avenue looking north.

  
Approaching Ray Avenue (left) and the intersection with Ray Avenue (right) looking north.

  
Approaching Curran Hill and Capital Avenues (left) and from Stetson Street (right) looking north.

  
Looking north from Cape May Avenue (left) and Brookside Avenue (right).

  
Looking south from Pioneer Avenue (left) and from the intersection of West Liberty and Warrington Avenues.