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Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Regional Transit is encouraging drivers to plan ahead and consider using public transit during PennDOT’s three-week closure of the Parkway East (I-376) between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale interchange.
PennDOT will close the Parkway East in both directions from Friday, July 10 through Monday, August 3, 2026, while crews replace the Commercial Street Bridge.
For more information on the project, visit pa.gov/agencies/penndot/projects-near-you/district-11-projects/commercial-street-bridge-replacement.
PennDOT expects major congestion in and around the project area and is also encouraging commuters to take public transit as an alternative to driving. Motorists are encouraged to park at one of PRT’s free and conveniently located park and ride lots and take a bus that will use the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway to bypass the majority of the traffic congestion.
"Public transit offers commuters an opportunity to avoid some of the worst congestion,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Once our buses reach the East Busway, they're traveling in their own dedicated corridor instead of sitting in traffic. If you've never tried PRT for your daily commute, this is a great time to give it a try."
To help minimize congestion during the closure, PRT will temporarily suspend construction activities on the University Line project in Oakland for the duration of the Commercial Street Bridge project. Pausing work in these areas will reduce lane restrictions and help keep traffic moving through a heavily trafficked corridor.
Motorists and PRT riders should still expect traffic congestion and delays in and around Squirrel Hill, Edgewood, Swissvale, and surrounding communities. Bus routes traveling from eastern Allegheny County may also experience delays due to increased traffic on the PennDOT detour routes.
PRT Recommendations
1. Ride from the bus stop closest to home.
Whenever possible, customers should begin their trip by bus rather than attempting to drive closer to Oakland or Downtown Pittsburgh. Getting on the bus sooner helps reduce traffic, frees up road space for buses and other vehicles, and keeps everyone moving more efficiently.
2. Use the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway:
Those without nearby bus service are encouraged to drive to one of PRT’s East Busway park and ride lots or lots served by bus routes heading to the East Busway.
The East Busway is a dedicated bus-only roadway that bypasses traffic and provides fast and reliable service between eastern Allegheny County and Downtown Pittsburgh, with convenient connections to Downtown, Oakland, Shadyside, and East Liberty.
Park and Ride locations:
Alpine Village Park and Ride
Address: 1559 Golden Mile Hwy Monroeville, PA 15146
Parking spaces: 245
Cost to park: Free
Served by: P12 -Holiday Park Flyer
Monroeville Mall Park and Ride
Address: 200 Mall Circle Dr, Monroeville Mall, Monroeville, PA 15146 (By Dick’s Sporting Goods)
Parking spaces: 240
Cost to park: Free
Served by: P67-Monroeville Flyer, 67-Monroeville (recommended for Downtown access), and P68-Braddock Hills Flyer
Beulah Church Park and Ride (Beulah Presbyterian Church)
Address: 2500 McCrady Rd, Churchill, PA 15235
Parking spaces: 100
Cost to park: Free
Served by: P67-Monroeville Flyer, P16-Penn Hills Flyer, 67 -Monroeville
Forest Hills Park and Ride
Address: 2601 Ardmore Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Parking spaces: 168
Cost to park: Free
Served by: 69-Trafford, P69-Trafford Flyer, P76 -Lincoln Highway Flyer
Wilkinsburg Park and Ride (Wilkinsburg Station, East Busway)
Address: 450 Brushton Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15208 (additional entrance at Wallace Avenue at Pitt Street)
Parking spaces: 734
Cost to park: Free
Served by: P1-East Busway-All Stops (to Downtown), P3-East Busway Oakland (to Oakland)
Additional Park and Ride Option
If East Busway Park and Ride lots reach capacity, riders may also consider:
Duquesne Park and Ride
Address: Route Duquesne Boulevard at Library Place, Duquesne, PA 15110
Parking spaces: 311
Cost to park: Free
Served by: P7-McKeesport Flyer, 61C-McKeesport-Homestead, 59-Mon Valley
For more information, visit rideprt.org/commercialstbridge.
PRT encourages customers to allow additional travel time during the closure.
Riders with questions about service, detours, or park and ride capacity are encouraged to call Customer Service at 412-442-2000, reach out on X (formerly Twitter) @pghtransitcare or chat with us at www.rideprt.org.
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