What you need to know while driving around Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft

PITTSBURGH — WPXI Traffic Expert Trisha Pittman has covered traffic in Pittsburgh for decades and is your most experienced resource for how to get around during draft week, whether you’re headed to the NFL Draft or staying to stay out of it altogether.

People coming to Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft are going to be welcomed by some of the most amazing views in the city. But they’re also going to find some of the most confusing traffic patterns. Some areas of the city are stressful for everyday Pittsburghers, but navigating the volume of traffic and the closures around the draft is going to be very difficult for all.

Several roads on the North Shore closed at the end of March. Anyone driving anywhere near Acrisure Stadium has already experienced that.

“We want to make sure we invite fans from all corners of southwestern Pennsylvania to the draft and to support the fans traveling from across the southwestern area and surrounding counties,” said Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission Executive Director Rich Fitzgerald.

Phase Three of the “Draft Campus” closures goes from April 22 through 25. During the actual draft, every road on the North Shore between the stadiums and numerous roads in the Golden Triangle, will be blocked off. It’s part of creating a safe, walkable and secure experience.

Trisha mapped out the closures starting at Acrisure. Basically, they include everything from the front of Rivers Casino to the Roberto Clemente Bridge and the Andy Warhol Bridge. That also includes the ramps to get to the North Shore.

What you need to know while driving around Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft NFL Draft Road Closures (WPXI/WPXI)

On the other side of the river, the closures include parts of 6th Street and Penn Avenue, along with the Liberty Avenue Extension and Commonwealth Place.

“These closures have been carefully planned in coordination with public safety and transportation to balance event operations along with the needs of residents, businesses and commuters,” said Visit Pittsburgh CEO Jared Bachar.

After the Draft, a majority of roads and ramps on the North Shore will stay closed for more than a week so workers can clean up the area.

Trisha confirmed there will be detours and signs in the immediate area to help drivers navigate. But she has some hacks to help those who aren’t going to the drat and have to get to work or appointments.

Think of the Parkway North, Veterans Bridge, Crosstown Boulevard, Liberty Bridge & Tubes and Route 51 as a clear border. Use those routes to avoid closed roads to get to points North, South, East and West. Trisha advises it’s going to take a little more time, a little creative mapping and some extra patience.

To make it a little easier, PennDOT is looking at the draft like a holiday and will stop all construction. Still, any construction traffic patterns already in place will stay that way.

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