Tunnel Closure Significantly Halts Traffic
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The closure of the Squirrel Hill tunnel is taking its effect on Parkway drivers.
Our news partners at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report that the Parkway is backed up for miles due to the closure.
The outbound lanes of the tunnel will continue to be closed all weekend.
The work will result in increasing the height of the tunnel from 13 feet, 6 inches tall to 14 feet, 9 inches tall.
PennDOT has suggested several detours for drivers, including:
Daylight detour (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Exit at Squirrel Hill (Exit 74)
- Make left onto Forward Avenue
- Continue taking slight right and stay on Forward Avenue
- Left onto Beechwood Boulevard
- Right onto Forbes Avenue
- Right onto South Braddock Avenue
- End detour at outbound Parkway East on-ramp
Night detour (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.)
- Exit at Squirrel Hill (Exit 74)
- Make left onto Forward Avenue
- Continue slight left/straight onto Murray Avenue
- Right onto Forbes Avenue
- Right onto South Braddock Avenue
- End detour at outbound Parkway East on-ramp
PennDOT also suggests this route if traffic is significantly delayed:
From eastbound I-376, take the Forbes Avenue (Exit 72A) to Oakland
- Continue on Forbes Avenue through Oakland
- Make left onto South Bellafield Avenue
- Make right onto Fifth Avenue
- Continue east on Fifth Avenue
- Make right onto Penn Avenue (Route 380/8)
- Continue through Wilkinsburg
- Access Parkway East in Forest Hills
The work is part of an almost $50 million project, which aims to make many updates to the tunnel, including ventilation, water line, tile and structural repairs.
PennDOT is also planning on closing the tunnel on these dates — weather permitting:
April 19-22, outbound closure
April 26-29, outbound closure
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