Pittsburgh Parkway East closure starts July 10 for bridge slide

Pittsburgh drivers who depend on the Parkway East are facing a major summer disruption: PennDOT says both directions of I-376 are scheduled to close for 25 days beginning July 10, 2026, as crews replace the Commercial Street Bridge.

The full closure is planned to run through Aug. 3, with work happening around the clock. PennDOT says the dates are subject to change if weather, construction conditions or other issues interfere.

The affected interstate segment is between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and Edgewood/Swissvale. Through traffic will be pushed off the Parkway East, while limited single-lane access is expected for local traffic to Squirrel Hill and Edgewood.

Local impacts begin before the Parkway closes

The disruption starts earlier for Swisshelm Park, Frick Park and Nine Mile Run users. PennDOT’s June 17 project update says Commercial Street/Forward Avenue and Nine Mile Run Trail are scheduled to close at about 7 a.m. Monday, June 29, and remain closed through early August.

That closure is tied to prep work before demolition of the existing bridge and the slide-in of the new one. PennDOT says the road and trail must be clear of vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic while those operations are underway. The agency says the road and trail will reopen after I-376 reopens, cleanup is complete and the area is determined safe for use.

The earlier local closure has already drawn concern. CBS Pittsburgh reported June 17 that some Swisshelm Park residents said they were caught off guard by the timing and length of the Commercial Street closure, even as PennDOT said projected closure dates had been subject to change.

Why PennDOT is closing the interstate

The work is part of PennDOT’s $95 million I-376 Commercial Street Bridge Replacement project in Allegheny County. The project spans Nine Mile Run, Frick Park and Commercial Street, between the Edgewood/Swissvale interchange and the Squirrel Hill Tunnel.

PennDOT is using accelerated bridge construction, which means the new bridge is being built next to the existing structure and then slid laterally into place after demolition. The agency says the short full closure is intended to avoid a much longer period of constant lane restrictions on the Parkway East.

Detours will put pressure on Oakland and East End streets

PennDOT’s detour materials show different routes depending on direction and destination. The interstate detour sends inbound traffic from I-376 to Wilkinsburg, Route 8, Penn Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Oakland, the Boulevard of the Allies and back to westbound I-376. Outbound traffic is directed through the Forbes Avenue/Oakland exit, Forbes Avenue, South Bellefield Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Route 8 and back toward eastbound I-376.

Local detours include South Braddock Avenue, the Rankin Bridge, Route 837, the Homestead Grays Bridge, Browns Hill Road and Beechwood Boulevard.

PennDOT is warning that significant delays are expected. The agency recommends reviewing detour maps, allowing extra time, considering alternate routes, using remote work or flexible schedules where possible, carpooling, and using transit when it fits the trip.

The University of Pittsburgh is also preparing for the closure’s effect on Oakland. Pitt’s Human Resources office told employees that the primary interstate detours will route traffic onto Fifth and Forbes avenues through campus, affecting workers, visitors and public safety around the Pittsburgh campus. Pitt is encouraging temporary flexibility, including remote work where possible, adjusted work hours, carpooling, public transportation and rescheduling nonessential in-person meetings.

What to watch next

Drivers, employers and residents near the Parkway East should treat the July 10 date as the working start of the full interstate shutdown, but continue checking PennDOT updates before changing travel plans. The June 29 Commercial Street/Forward Avenue and Nine Mile Run Trail closure is the first major neighborhood step in the sequence.

For commuters, the practical takeaway is simple: a normal Parkway East trip may not be realistic during the closure window. People who can shift travel times, work remotely, use transit, carpool or reschedule in-person trips may have a better chance of avoiding the worst delays. Residents near Swisshelm Park, Frick Park, Squirrel Hill, Edgewood, Swissvale and Oakland should also watch for local access signs and traffic-control changes as the work begins.

Sources

• PennDOT Commercial Street Bridge Replacement project page
• CBS Pittsburgh report on Commercial Street closure concerns
• University of Pittsburgh Human Resources notice