If you’re trying to get anywhere in Pittsburgh today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, you’ve probably already realized the "Parkway" is less of a road and more of a parking lot. It’s one of those weekends where PennDOT and PRT decided to do everything at once. From bridge inspections to the massive ongoing Commercial Street Bridge project, navigating the 412 is basically a game of "dodge the orange cone."
Honestly, the biggest headache today is happening right near the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. If you are heading westbound on I-376, expect to stop. Often. Crews are using the plaza outside the tunnel to receive massive bridge beam deliveries.
They are doing intermittent traffic stoppages that last about 15 minutes a pop. It doesn't sound like much, but when you have 100,000 cars a day trying to squeeze through those tubes, a 15-minute pause creates a ripple effect that backs up traffic all the way to Monroeville.
The Current State of Road Closures Pittsburgh Today
Let's talk about the Seventh Avenue ramp. If you were planning on hopping onto southbound I-579 (the Crosstown Expressway) or heading toward the Boulevard of the Allies, you likely hit a wall this morning.
PennDOT District 11-0 has been running bridge inspections on the "Cap" Urban Connector. The ramp was shut down tight at 9:00 PM last night. The good news? It was supposed to open back up at 5:00 AM this morning. The bad news? These inspections often leave behind "lane restrictions" while crews pack up their gear, so don't expect a clear run through the Crawford Street area until later this afternoon.
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Why Commercial Street is Still a No-Go
If you live in Swisshelm Park or Squirrel Hill, you already know the Commercial Street and Forward Avenue situation. It's been closed since November, and it’s staying closed until at least February 6, 2026.
This isn't just "we're fixing a pothole" construction. They are literally building a new bridge next to the old one so they can slide it into place this summer. Right now, they’re doing the heavy lifting—steel erection—which is why you can't drive under the bridge on Commercial Street.
- The Detour: You've gotta go through Swissvale. Take Whipple to Monongahela Ave, then S. Braddock to Forbes, and loop back around Beechwood Boulevard. It adds 15 minutes to a trip that usually takes two.
- The Trail: Nine Mile Run Trail is also closed. Don't try to bike through it; the crews are moving heavy equipment overhead, and it’s genuinely dangerous.
Moving Parts: The I-376 and I-79 Interchange
If you’re heading out toward the airport or Robinson, the I-376/I-79 interchange is a bit of a nightmare today. Specifically, the ramp from eastbound I-376 to southbound I-79 (Exit 64A toward Washington).
They have a shoulder closure in place until noon while they repair guide rails. Whenever there’s a shoulder closure on that specific curve, people tend to slam on their brakes, so watch out for sudden slowdowns right after the split.
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The Transit "Subway" Shutdown
If you thought you'd just take the T to avoid the roads, I have bad news. Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) has officially started its first of eight major weekend closures for the Downtown Subway.
Between First Avenue and Gateway Stations, the rail is dead. They are replacing 23kV cables that have been down there probably longer than most of us have been alive.
- No service at: Steel Plaza or Wood Street Stations.
- The workaround: You’ll have to use the "Blue" bus shuttle or just walk the few blocks if it’s not too freezing outside.
- Bus detours: The PRTX Bus Rapid Transit project is still messing with Fifth Avenue. Most inbound buses are now permanently moved over to Forbes Avenue in the Uptown and Oakland areas.
Surprising Facts About the 2026 Construction Season
A lot of people think PennDOT just likes to torture us, but there’s a reason for the madness this year. The "Lateral Slide" technique they’re prepping for on the Commercial Street Bridge is actually going to save us four years of orange cones.
If they did it the old-fashioned way, they’d have to shut down one side of the Parkway East and move all traffic to the other side until 2030. Instead, they’re doing these annoying intermittent closures now so they can shut the whole thing down for just 25 days in July 2026 and finish it.
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What’s happening in the North and South?
- Ross Township: Keep an eye on I-279 North. They’ve been messing with the Jacks Run Road Bridge. While the main lane closures were slated to wrap up yesterday, expect some lingering shoulder work today.
- Tarentum: There was a mess on Friday with a garbage truck hitting a tree that shut down some local access roads. If you’re heading up Route 28 towards the Alle-Kiski Valley, local roads near the Tarentum exit might still be restricted for utility repairs.
- Richland Avenue: Over in the Mon Valley, the stretch between Fifth Street and Bettis Road is down to a single lane. They’re working on the McKeesport Boulevard corridor through the end of the month.
How to Not Lose Your Mind
Look, Waze is your best friend today, but even Waze struggles with the 15-minute "intermittent stoppages" at the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. The best thing you can do is avoid I-376 East of the city between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
If you have to get to the East End from the city, try the Boulevard of the Allies to Forbes, but remember that the Fifth/Forbes corridor in Uptown is still a construction zone because of the BRT project. Honestly, the North Shore and the West End are your safest bets for "normal" traffic today.
Actionable Steps for Today's Travel
- Check 511PA: Don't just look at the map; read the "Alerts" list. It tells you exactly why a road is red.
- Avoid the "Subway": If you're coming from the South Hills on the T, get off at First Ave and prepare to walk or catch a surface bus.
- Tunnel Strategy: If you see the Squirrel Hill Tunnel is backed up to Oakland, take the Glenwood Bridge and cut through Homestead. It’s a longer drive, but you’ll keep moving.
- Watch the Weather: It’s January. If a stray snow squall hits, these bridge beam deliveries on the Parkway will be cancelled, which actually makes traffic better, but makes the project last longer.
The reality is that Pittsburgh’s infrastructure is finally getting the massive overhaul it needed after the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse a few years back. It’s painful now, but we're basically paying the "traffic tax" for a city that won't have crumbling bridges in five years. Plan for an extra 20 to 30 minutes for any cross-city trip today.