Traffic Advisory from OTMA:
REMINDER: Parkway East Weekend Closure Begins Friday Night, Dec 11
(Note: Updated information is highlighted in RED.)
The City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, in conjunction with PennDOT and Mosites Heavy Construction, remind commuters that full-lane closures of I-376 East will take place Friday, Dec. 11 at 11:00 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 14 at 6:00 a.m.
Closures and Detours (Dec. 11-14)
The eastbound (outbound) closures will begin at Oakland (Exit 72A). All outbound traffic will be directed to the posted detour starting at Exit 72A. Additionally, the Bates St. outbound entrance ramp will be closed. A map of the eastbound closures and detours can be found here.
The westbound (inbound) detour will begin at Wilkinsburg Exit 78B. Inbound traffic traveling from the east will be directed to the posted detour starting at Exit 78B. ** All truck traffic must follow the posted detour that begins at Wilkinsburg Exit 78B. Westbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane between Exit 78B and Exit 77. Motorists traveling westbound will have access to the Edgewood/Swissvale Exit 77 off-ramp. Use of the Edgewood/Swissvale westbound exit ramp is intended for local traffic only. The Edgewood/Swissvale and Squirrel Hill/Homestead on-ramps to I-376 inbound will be closed. Motorists traveling westbound out of Oakland on the Boulevard of the Allies will be able to access I-376 westbound at the Boulevard of the Allies entrance ramp. Motorists in Downtown Pittsburgh will be able to access I-376 westbound at Grant Street (71A). A map of the westbound detours and closures can be found here.
Police officers will be on site at critical intersections on the posted detour routes to assist with traffic flow and ensure safety for all roadway users. Motorists should expect significant delays on posted detour routes.
The closures will be administered by Mosites, the contractor that is overseeing the Greenfield Bridge reconstruction project. The closures are necessary to allow Mosites to perform preparation work for the upcoming implosion of the Greenfield Bridge. Full details on the Greenfield Bridge closure and Reconstruction Project can be found here.
The City of Pittsburgh has made every attempt to minimize the impact of this closure on planned city events in Downtown, the North Shore and elsewhere. The magnitude and tight schedule for the Greenfield Bridge reconstruction project require weekend closures. The city and its partners have a seven week window in which two weekend closures are permitted to take place, not counting the Christmas to New Year’s closure in December 2015.
Possible Alternate Routes
To avoid lengthy delays on the posted detour, PennDOT also suggests taking the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Monroeville to the Harmar Interchange (Exit 48) and using southbound Route 28 to access downtown.
Motorists may also consider taking the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Monroeville to the I-79 interchange in Cranberry (Exit 77) and following I-79 south to the Parkway North (I-279) to Pittsburgh.
Maps and descriptions of alternate routes can be found here.