Local

Traffic Alert: New Route 28 traffic patterns in place, drivers report major delays

PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation started a project on Route 28 Wednesday, causing new traffic patterns and major delays during the morning commute.

Southbound Route 28 in Pittsburgh was split into a new configuration near the 31st Street Bridge. In order to make the split happen, officials said they had to reduce traffic to one lane, prompting the delays.

“We were coming from the other way, but it was still terrible,” one driver said.

The decision point at the split also likely contributed to the massive backups reported Wednesday.

Many motorists reported two hour commutes just to get to work Wednesday morning.

“Know the side streets,” one driver said when asked for advice.

The new patterns are split according to lane.

LEFT HAND LANE

  • Traffic will continue on southbound Route 28 to the North Shore
  • Motorists can access the ramp to southbound I-579 Crosstown Boulevard (South I-579 to East I-376 Veterans Bridge/Monroeville)
  • Motorists can access the ramp to southbound I-279 (South I-279 to West I-376 Fort Pitt Bridge/Airport)

RIGHT HAND LANE

  • All traffic using the right hand lane will exit onto East Ohio Street

The work is part of the $15.4 million Route 28 Phase V improvement project.