PITTSBURGH — Sunday’s lineup is busy with the Pittsburgh Marathon making its big return after a 2-year hiatus, the University of Pittsburgh’s graduation and an afternoon Pirates game.
There will be dozens of road closures scheduled and thousands of visitors flooding the city.
“We’re going to start towing vehicles and tagging vehicles on Saturday at 11 p.m.,” said Pittsburgh Police Commander Ray Ripple.
With hundreds of signs posted and barricades ready to block dozens of roads, city police said drivers were warned to make way for the return of the Pittsburgh Marathon.
“Over the last year, we’ve been working with fire, with EMS, Allegheny County dispatchers and the National Weather Service,” said Pittsburgh Police Commander Cristyn Zett.
With hundreds of moving parts, officials have worked to clear a 26-mile path that spans several neighborhoods including the South Side, North Side, Shadyside, Homewood, Highland Park, Friendship, Lawrenceville, the Strip District and Oakland.
“It’s going to be a very busy day in the city,” said Zett.
For soon-to-be graduate Julia Raytselis, the wake-up time for her family will be at 7 a.m., as her family will have to navigate back to Oakland from their hotel for early morning ceremonies ahead of the 2 p.m. graduation.
In the meantime others who have no real obligations say they’ll enjoy the day from afar.
“There will be all kinds of people from out of town, and Pittsburgh streets were designed before cars, so that’s going to be mayhem,” said Terry Dolughty.
Dolughty, a former Polish Hill resident, said he’s been there and done that and now wants no parts of the “Marathon mayhem” as he calls it.
“It was always a big problem, it was basically find something to do early, get out and don’t come back until late,” said Dolughty, reflecting on his years spent in the city during the marathon.
Click here for details on when roads will reopen on Sunday, May 1.
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