Bridge replacement will result in weeks-long Parkway East closure

PITTSBURGH — PennDOT leaders are in the early stages of planning a lengthy bridge project that will result in a temporary closure of the Parkway East.

During a public hearing this week, leaders discussed plans to replace the Commercial Street Bridge, located between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Braddock Avenue interchange.

While a complete timeline is still up in the air, officials anticipate that stretch of the Parkway East will have to close for roughly two to three weeks in July 2025.

During that time, officials will “slide” in a new bridge, which will be constructed alongside the existing structure. Officials say that method was selected to minimize the closure length.

Ahead of the closure, “PennDOT will closely coordinate with the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, as well as the PA Turnpike Commission to establish a series of local and regional detour routes to mitigate the impacts of the Parkway closure,” said PennDOT official Bill Gross. “Part of that mitigation plan will also involve strategic placement of police along the detours, to direct traffic as well as manually regulate signal operations during peak traffic periods.”

Officials said the plans include relocating part of Commercial Street below, and commuters should expect short-term closures or lane restrictions in the area. Leaders say they hope to keep the Nine Mile Run Trail accessible during the construction phase.

Construction is anticipated to begin in spring or summer of 2023. Before that, leaders will host another public hearing to provide more details.

During this week’s hearing, some people asked about noise abatement plans, but leaders said they right now do not anticipate having those.

You can view the meeting here

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