PITTSBURGH — PennDOT has announced the start of a $14.34 million flood control project on the Parkway East in the “Bathtub” area of Downtown Pittsburgh.
Preparatory work is scheduled to begin Thursday, Oct. 1, followed by long-term ramp closures and lane restrictions starting Saturday, Oct. 3.
The project targets a section of the Parkway East between the Grant Street interchange and the Fort Pitt Bridge in Allegheny County that has faced increased flooding closures over the past decade. Each flooding event diverts approximately 43,000 vehicles and requires cleanup efforts, including pumping water and removing mud and debris, before the roadway can reopen.
Preparatory work will include short-term mobile single-lane restrictions on westbound I-376 between the north Route 885/Oakland interchange and the Fort Pitt Bridge. These mobile restrictions are scheduled from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1 and Friday, Oct. 2, to allow crews to install traffic control signage.
Additionally, beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, the following restrictions are expected to be implemented around-the-clock through August 2027:
- The Grant Street on-ramp to westbound I-376 will close to traffic.
- The westbound I-376 left-hand off-ramp to Grant Street will remain open.
- The westbound I-376 left-hand off-ramp to Stanwix Street will close to traffic.
- The Stanwix Street on-ramp to westbound I-376 will remain open.
- A long-term left-hand lane closure will be implemented on westbound I-376 between the closed Grant Street on-ramp and the left-hand on-ramp from Stanwix Street.
- The right-hand exit lane to the Ft. Duquesne Bridge will be shortened to allow two lanes of through-traffic to the Ft. Pitt Bridge.
- No lane restrictions are anticipated on eastbound I-376 Parkway East in this corridor related to this project.
Posted Detours:
Grant Street to westbound I-376
- From Grant Street turn right onto Ft. Pitt Boulevard
- Continue to the intersection with Stanwix Street
- Turn left toward the ramp for west I-376/Ft. Pitt Bridge/Airport
- Bear right to continue on the ramp for west I-376/Ft. Pitt Bridge/Airport
- End detour
Westbound I-376 to Stanwix Street (Exit 70D)
- From westbound I-376 take the left-hand off-ramp to Grant Street (Exit 71A)
- Turn left onto Ft. Pitt Boulevard
- Continue to Stanwix Street
- End detour
Planned infrastructure improvements involve reconstructing and raising 1,150 feet of the existing floodwall, installing micropiles to strengthen the structural foundation beneath the roadway, executing a full pavement replacement and repairing and upgrading existing pump and piping systems.
Long-term lane restrictions and ramp closures are expected to stay in place through August 2027. During the 2027 construction season, travelers will encounter a 12-day full closure and detour of westbound I-376 for full-width concrete pavement reconstruction. Overall project work is scheduled to conclude in the fall of 2027.
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