PennDOT to Close I-376 (Parkway East) July 10–Aug. 3 for Bridge Slide
Pittsburgh commuters should plan ahead: PennDOT says I-376 (Parkway East) will fully close in the Commercial Street Bridge replacement area from July 10, 2026 through August 3, 2026 (about 25 days). The outage is part of an Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) project that replaces the bridge using a slide-in technique—so PennDOT and PRT expect major congestion. (Dates are subject to change.)
What’s closing, and why it’s happening fast
PennDOT’s plan covers I-376 (Parkway East) in the Commercial Street Bridge replacement zone, between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel area and Edgewood/Swissvale. The $95 million project is designed to finish in about a month by building the new bridge and then sliding it into place on the existing alignment.
During the full closure window, PennDOT says work will be happening around the clock (24/7) while the existing bridge is demolished, debris is cleared, and the new structure is slid into position—allowing the bridge to reopen to traffic shortly after.
Key dates for the Parkway East outage
PennDOT says the full closure for the bridge slide-in is scheduled to run July 10, 2026 through August 3, 2026 (25 days). PennDOT cautions that unforeseen issues may arise, so the schedule is subject to change.
Detours: plan for delays, and know the exit points
PennDOT says significant delays are anticipated on detour routes. PennDOT’s guidance includes:
- All I-376 thru traffic must exit at Wilkinsburg (Exit 78B) and Forbes Ave/Oakland (Exit 72A).
- Single-lane access will be provided to Squirrel Hill/Edgewood for local traffic only.
PennDOT directs drivers to its “Maps and Detours” materials for the specific rerouting approach and alternate-route options.
Commercial Street and Nine Mile Run Trail access changes
As part of the project staging for demolition and the slide, PennDOT says Commercial Street and the Nine Mile Run Trail will be closed in spring/summer 2026, remain closed through the I-376 Parkway closure, and are anticipated to reopen in mid-August.
PRT rider guidance: expect congestion, adjust the commute
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) says the closure is expected to bring major congestion, and recommends using transit when possible. PRT also warns that bus routes coming from the Eastern part of the service area may experience delays due to increased traffic on detour routes.
PRT’s recommendations include:
- Use a bus route closest to your origin, and get on a bus as early as possible to help keep road space available for other buses and cars.
- If you don’t have convenient bus service nearby, drive to a Park and Ride that serves the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway—PRT describes the busway as a dedicated bus-only roadway that avoids intersections and signals between Swissvale and Downtown Pittsburgh.
PRT lists East Busway-served Park and Rides (including Wilkinsburg and Forest Hills) and says parking is free at these lots during the closure period.
What to do next
Before your first commute affected by the closure, check PennDOT’s project updates and detour information, and use 511PA for real-time traffic alerts. The most important takeaway remains consistent across the guidance: plan ahead, expect heavy delays, and match your route choice to the published detours and transit options.
Sources
- PennDOT District 11 newsroom release (PennDOT/PA.gov): Shapiro Administration to Replace I-376 Commercial Street Bridge in 25 Days
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) rider notice: Commercial Street Bridge Closure
- CBS News Pittsburgh (KDKA): reporting on PennDOT’s Parkway East closure dates for Commercial Street Bridge replacement
Look for updates to this story
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