Parkway West Closure Could Cause Traffic Nightmare For Marathoners
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Before taking their mark at the starting line this weekend, some marathoners were getting in a practice run Thursday night in Shadyside.
Pittsburgh Marathon weekend is about to kick off, and for runners that's good news; but for drivers, getting around town could be a big challenge.
In addition to road closures for the runners, PennDOT will be working on the ongoing Parkway West construction project. While the trip into town will have no detours, the trip out could get tricky.
The outbound lanes will be shut down completely from Green Tree to Interstate 79.
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"One of the biggest activities they have here in Pittsburgh, and we're going to have that challenge, so hopefully it will all work out well," said Donna Taylor, of Moon Township.
All outbound traffic will leave the Parkway West at Exit 67 Green Tree, head down Mansfield Avenue to Route 50; travel Route 50 through Carnegie to I-79 north, and then from I -79 north get back to the Parkway West.
Runners like Theresa Cameron, of Mount Lebanon, want no parts of that.
"I'm going to take the T," she said. "I'm going to park at Castle Shannon and take the T in and avoid all that."
Others are mapping out their own detour.
"I think I'm going to be okay," said Taylor. "Going in I will be fine, but going back, I'll just take my time, go through McKees Rocks. Take the McKees Rocks Bridge back to Moon Township, so just looking for a good ride home after a good race."
PennDOT says most people come into town at about the same time on Marathon Sunday, but after the race, they leave at different times depending on when they finish or participate in after-marathon activities.
So PennDOT is banking on scattered departures.
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