Great Racers, Steelers Fans Urged To Get Early Start Sunday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A Steelers game on Sunday afternoon always brings large crowds to Downtown and the North Shore.
But before the game, thousands will already be in the area for the Great Race.
The 10K begins in Frick Park at 9:30 a.m., while the 5K starts in Oakland at 8 a.m. Anyone participating is asked to park downtown and catch shuttles to the events.
"Parking is very limited at both start lines. There are some parking garages in Oakland you can park at for the 5K start," said Brian Katz, the Great Race's logistics manager. "We suggest you park downtown at any of the Parking Authority garages and ride the shuttles to the start line."
But if you plan to ride the shuttles, get there early because they start leaving downtown at 6:15 a.m.
Race officials are urging people to catch a shuttle before downtown streets are closed.
The closures include the Parkway East ramp to Stanwix Street, the 70a off the Fort Pitt Bridge to Liberty Avenue and the area around Point State Park.
They start around 8:30 a.m. and should all be lifted by 11 a.m.
"Anytime there are road closures involved with anything, it's always suggested give yourself extra time and be ready to sit in traffic, you might not normally sit in," said Katz.
Meanwhile, if you're heading to the Great Race, you may want to avoid parking on the North Shore near Heinz Field.
North Shore lots open at 8 a.m., but they're presold for the game and are not available for race day parking.
"I think the Great Race is fairly early, and it's in town, so I think we're in good shape with people parking over there. And Steelers fans, they're regulars, they come to this every week and they pretty much have a good sense where they're headed," said Ralph Reetz, of Alco Parking. "There should not be any problems."
The bottom line, get an early start if you're coming downtown Sunday morning.
Also, more than 30 Port Authority buses will be detoured, mostly in the Downtown, Oakland and Squirrel Hill areas.
MORE INFORMATION:
- Great Race Transportation Information
- Pittsburgh Parking Authority's Heinz Field Parking Guide
- Port Authority Service Details
- Port Authority Detour Routes
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