The City of Pittsburgh and the South Side Hospitality Partnership, in coordination with PennDOT District 11, in order to address overcrowding on sidewalk and public safety concerns in the South Side Flats Business District of Pittsburgh, will enact their East Carson Street Entertainment and Safety Initiative.
The Initiative will close East Carson Street (SR 837 S) between South 12th and South 18th Streets on Friday and Saturday nights, beginning Friday, June 19, 2026, through Saturday, October 31, 2026, recurring from approximately 9:00 PM each night until around 4:00 AM each following morning.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit routes 48 Arlington and 51 Carrick will be required to detour. Routes 54, 75, 81 & 83 should not be impacted by the public safety restrictions.
Start: 06/19/2026 — End: 11/01/2026
Standing Detour - Emergency Closure Of Smithfield Street Bridge
On occasion, the historic Smithfield Street Bridge, a vital link for thirteen (13) Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes and four routes for two regional transit agencies (FACT, MMVTA) as well as the bus substitution routing for buses replacing light rail service, when the bridge is compromised, either due to scheduled maintenance or emergencies, must use a lengthy and extensive detour until service over the Smithfield Street Bridge is restored.
Closures could be for heavy maintenance of the bridge by PennDOT or due to emergencies such as excessive flooding of the Monongahela River and high waters or by barge strikes on the piers of the bridge, resulting in concerns for its structural integrity until fully inspected.
This detour will be activated by default, usually by police or emergency forces closing the bridge immediately for emergencies.
Start: 01/01/2026 — End: 12/31/2026