Festival Grants Open, Parkway West Restrictions Set, Cleanup Effort Launches
Pittsburgh, PA – March 9, 2026 – City festival grants open, Parkway West faces overnight restrictions, and a statewide cleanup kicks off.
Pittsburgh is starting the week with a mix of community funding, roadwork alerts and preparations for a busy spring season.
Festival Grant Applications Now Open
The City of Pittsburgh has opened applications for its 2026 Community Festival Program Grant as of this morning. The long-running program supports neighborhood-based nonprofits that host one-day festivals between June 1 and October 31.
This year, 30 groups can receive reimbursements of up to $1,000 to help cover event costs. City leaders say the goal is to strengthen neighborhood connections and encourage new community traditions. Applications remain open through April 15.
Overnight Parkway West Restriction
Drivers heading inbound on I-376 should plan ahead tonight. PennDOT has scheduled an overnight shoulder restriction on the Parkway West between the West End interchange and the Fort Pitt Tunnel.
The restriction is set for 10 p.m. Monday through 2 a.m. Tuesday, weather permitting. Crews will be performing landscaping work in the corridor. While no full closures are planned, officials urge motorists to expect slower traffic and proceed with caution.
Statewide Cleanup Push Ahead of NFL Draft
PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection have teamed up with the Pittsburgh Steelers to launch the 2026 Pick Up PA initiative.
The campaign encourages volunteers to clean up roads, parks and waterways ahead of what officials expect to be a historic tourism season. With the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh in April, the effort is aimed at sprucing up communities before large crowds arrive. Organizers say hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected this spring, and local participation will play a key role in keeping the region looking its best.
Sources
https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/News-articles/Homepage/City-of-Pittsburgh-2026-Community-Festival-Program-Grant-Application-Opens-March-9
https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/penndot-joins-pittsburgh-steelers-launch-litter-cleanup-initiative-ahead-nfl-draft/6Q7X6HE2GZD27NMKBLD3SOX4YY/
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/news-and-media/newsroom/district-11/2026/eastbound-i-376-parkway-west-shoulder-restriction-monday-night-i
