Pittsburgh Bridge Slide Could Reopen Parkway East Before Aug. 3

Drivers in Pittsburgh and eastern Allegheny County could see the Parkway East reopen earlier than planned, but PennDOT has not confirmed a specific reopening date.

In a July 22 update, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said Interstate 376 was anticipated to reopen during the week of July 27, ahead of the original Aug. 3 target. The full closure began July 10 for the Commercial Street Bridge replacement.

PennDOT said the timing depends on weather conditions and remaining construction work. Until the department issues an official reopening notice, drivers should continue using the posted detours and check current traffic conditions before changing routes.

The new bridge is in alignment

Crews completed the major bridge-slide operation after demolishing the old Commercial Street Bridge and clearing the site. Using a skidding system and hydraulic equipment, workers moved the new bridge into alignment with I-376.

The project is located between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and the Edgewood/Swissvale interchange, affecting the City of Pittsburgh, Swissvale Borough, Edgewood Borough and nearby eastern Allegheny County communities.

PennDOT says the section of I-376 over Commercial Street carries approximately 100,000 vehicles per day on average. An earlier reopening could reduce pressure on detour routes through Squirrel Hill, Edgewood, Swissvale, Wilkinsburg, Oakland and surrounding neighborhoods.

Commercial Street and the trail will stay closed longer

The possible I-376 reopening does not mean every route at the project will reopen at the same time.

PennDOT’s project FAQ says Commercial Street and the Nine Mile Run Trail are expected to remain closed through the Parkway East closure and are anticipated to reopen in mid-August. Those local closures may continue after interstate traffic returns.

The broader Commercial Street Bridge replacement project also will not be finished when I-376 reopens. PennDOT expects construction to continue through summer 2027.

How commuters can monitor the change

Drivers should monitor PennDOT’s Commercial Street Bridge project updates, Parkway East email alerts and 511PA before changing their regular routes. The service provides traffic conditions, delay warnings, speeds and camera information.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit is encouraging riders to consider the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway during the closure. Riders without nearby bus service can use East Busway park-and-ride locations, including Forest Hills and Wilkinsburg. PRT warns that bus routes using detour roads may also experience delays, and park-and-ride capacity can change.

The key distinction for commuters is that the bridge slide is complete, but the interstate reopening remains anticipated rather than confirmed. PennDOT’s official notice should be the signal to resume using the Parkway East.

Sources

• PennDOT July 22 bridge-slide update
• Pittsburgh Regional Transit closure advisory
• Axios Pittsburgh bridge reopening report