Pittsburgh Parkway East Clousre: Latest Info

PITTSBURGH, PA — As the first weekday commutes of the partial closure of the Parkway East occur, PennDOT is directing people to a website that has real-time information on how quickly they can get to their destination via various detour routes.

The website provides travel times for the main detour routes and shows real-time incidents, construction, traffic cams, traffic speeds and message board displays.

A key section of the parkway between the eastern end of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale exit closed on Friday. and will remain inaccessible until at least Aug. 5.

The closure is necessary because of the $95 million Commercial Street Bridge replacement project. Demolition work on the old bridge has begun. Its replacement, built in Frick Park adjacent to the existing span, will laterally slide onto the existing parkway alignment.

The Commercial Street Bridge project is one of the largest lateral slide projects ever performed in Pennsylvania.

"This project puts Pennsylvania on the map for innovative, accelerated construction. While the closure is short-term, the benefits will last for generations," PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said in a statement. "We encourage all travelers to use 511PA for real-time updates and detour times so they can move through the area efficiently."

PennDOT expects heavy delays throughout the duration of thge project and has advises people to work from home or use alternate routes as able.

The agency also is suggesting people carpool with a friend or connect with PRT bus or Westmoreland Transit Service to reduce closure traffic. To find a location, click "Resources"at this link.