25-day I-376 (Parkway East) closure for Commercial Street Bridge slide-in
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Pittsburgh drivers should plan for a full, around-the-clock shutdown of I-376 (Parkway East) during the Commercial Street Bridge replacement “slide-in” phase. PennDOT says the closed section runs between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale (Exit 77) interchange.
The closure is scheduled to start Friday, July 10, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. and reopen Monday, August 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. PennDOT emphasizes this is part of a broader bridge project, and it also notes that unforeseen issues may arise—meaning dates can be subject to change.
What’s closing, and when
PennDOT’s project page says there will be a full closure in each direction of I-376 Parkway East between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale (Exit 77) interchange.
That around-the-clock (24/7) shutdown runs July 10, 9:00 p.m. through August 3, 5:00 a.m. as crews demolish and replace the I-376 Commercial Street Bridge.
Where thru traffic will be forced to exit
PennDOT’s Commercial Street Bridge FAQs say all I-376 thru traffic must exit at:
- Wilkinsburg (Exit 78B)
- Forbes Ave/Oakland (Exit 72A)
PennDOT also says single-lane access will be provided to Squirrel Hill/Edgewood for local traffic only.
What PennDOT says is happening during the slide-in
PennDOT says it’s using Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) with a lateral slide-in method. PennDOT describes this approach as reducing significant traffic impacts from more than four years to about 25 days for this main closure window.
The agency also says it will use the closure to the greatest extent possible to address construction activities for this and other future Parkway East projects, as well as any potential tunnel maintenance needs that may arise.
How to plan commute, deliveries, and transit
PennDOT’s planning guidance is straightforward: review the detour maps, allow extra travel time, and expect delays. PennDOT also recommends using 511PA for updates—plus portable message signs and real-time information via the 511PA app/site and message boards.
For residents who rely on buses, PennDOT says Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) routes using Commercial Street will be detoured, with updated schedules posted on PRT’s website and shared with municipalities. PennDOT says it is working with PRT to minimize impacts.
Residents and commuters near the trail area should also note PennDOT’s additional FAQ guidance: the Nine Mile Run Trail parking lot will remain open during the project, but PennDOT warns that the URA intends to use the parking lot as an access point, so drivers should use caution when entering and exiting construction vehicles.
What could change (and what to watch next)
PennDOT repeatedly flags that unforeseen issues may arise, and that the closure/detour dates are subject to change. As crews move from set-up into the slide-in work, the safest approach is to treat the July 10–Aug. 3 timing as the current plan—and keep checking PennDOT updates and 511PA for the latest before you drive.
Local context: why the disruption may feel bigger than the calendar
Local coverage from Axios Pittsburgh and WPXI frames the shutdown as a major traffic diversion off Parkway East—shifting strain onto surrounding streets and interchanges in the Oakland/Squirrel Hill/Edgewood/Swissvale corridor—while also noting PennDOT held a virtual meeting for drivers ahead of the shutdown.
Sources
- PennDOT project page: I-376 Parkway East – Commercial Street Bridge Replacement
- Axios Pittsburgh: Parkway East closes Friday for 25-day bridge replacement
- WPXI: PennDOT virtual meeting for drivers ahead of 25-day Parkway East shutdown
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