Latest news with #ParkwayEast
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Parkway East construction causing headaches and backups, how long will it last?
The mess on the Parkway East over the last couple of days has prompted the question: How long will this last? That question has many answers, but let's just deal with the here and now. Tuesday morning when PennDOT's contract first put the lane restriction into the Squirrel Hill Tunnel into place, it created a monster backup. "That is a very highly-traveled corridor," said John Myler, PennDOT's Senior Assistant Construction Engineer. "Traffic volumes are 100,000 vehicles per day, so I think that's to be expected." Myler said by contract, the contractor could do this for up to 35 days, but that doesn't mean a month-plus straight of single-lane restrictions through the outbound tunnel. "What we're definitely saying right now is for the remainder of this week and next week, we will have this in place," Myler said. To improve the flow at the merge point outside of the tunnel and stop the weaving, Myler explained they're going to look to close the Squirrel Hill ramp to the outbound, eastbound Parkway. Further out on the Parkway, the steel is in place for the outbound bridge over Old William Penn Highway. "By late July, we should be opening that structure up, switching traffic over onto it, and then continuing the second half of the bridge for the remainder of the year," he said. They're also going to be shifting around the lanes out there next week, but that's nothing more than a subtle change. Also, if you're coming to Pittsburgh or you're in Pittsburgh and worried about getting to the U.S. Open later this summer, worry not, they're putting all projects on hold that week. However, remember, this is only the beginning. The new bridge comes next summer, and that project won't conclude until summer 2027.
CBS News
27-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Squirrel Hill Tunnel lane closure causing traffic headaches for drivers
Cars and trucks packed the Parkway East outbound Tuesday morning, creating some headaches for folks during the peak rush hours as they returned to work after the long Memorial Day weekend. Be prepared, it could stay that way for a while. It's the result of closing one lane coming out of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, causing a backup to the Liberty Bridge. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation crews closed the eastbound, outbound right-hand lane and shoulder from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale Interchange at Exit 77. PennDOT Assistant District 11 Executive for Construction Doug Thompson said they'll continue to do so through Friday and again during the work week next week as they construct a retaining wall on the parkway outside of the tunnel, near the site of the new Commercial Street bridge. "We would anticipate that, and you know, we do apologize for those inconveniences," Thompson said. Then, there will be a break from June 9 to 16 for the U.S. Open in Oakmont. "We won't have any restrictions on the Parkway East during that time period due to the traffic impacts, the additional traffic we're anticipating to, you know, come into the area during the U.S. Open," Thompson said. However, they'll be back in place when the tournament ends, and Thompson encourages drivers to try to find different routes out of town. Once they do, he expects your commute to be a little smoother. "Anytime we have new restrictions out there, anytime we start a project or start new lane restrictions, you know, it does take a few days for people to find alternate routes, you know, it's always worse the first few days," Thompson said. Patience will be key. More lane restrictions and closures on the Parkway are expected until the project's estimated completion in the summer of 2027.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Construction on Parkway East in Pittsburgh will cause overnight closures
Part of the outbound side of the Parkway East is closed in Pittsburgh. Crews are working on the Oakland off-ramp. A detour is posted using Exit 72A and using the Bates Street Ramp to get back on the Parkway East. The highway will reopen at noon on Saturday. Overnight closures will continue next week from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Friday. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
