In the early 1980s, the city underwent many changes. The Mellon, Oxford Centre and PPG Plaza buildings rose skywards, and city streets were cleared of the cumbersome trolley tracks that for so many years criss-crossed the Golden Triangle. The missing tracks moved underground into the city's new subway system, or "T" as it is officially known.

The trolley tunnel was refurbished, a new boarding station erected at Station Square, and the South Hills Junction was completely overhauled. Crossing the old Pennsylvania Railroad bridge, the "T" cars then went subteranean, passing stations at Steel Plaza, Wood Street and Gateway Center before making the return trip to Station Square. The line then went to the Junction and on through Beechview to South Hills Village. A second line traveled up Arlington Avenue and down Warrington to the Junction.

Phase One of the system was completed in the mid-1980s, and the "T" went operational. Phase Two was begun in 2002, and two years later a third route was completed, re-tracing the old Shannon Drake line and extending on to Library. The modern system is a commuter's dream, following age-old PAT right-of-ways and cutting travel time from the southern suburbs to the city dramatically.

Future plans for the system include extensions from downtown under the Allegheny River to the new stadiums on the North Shore. The city of Pittsburgh is fortunate to have such a reliable and quick alternative to get to and from the city, and considering travel time and parking costs, the "T" is an economical alternative as well.