Here's how to get around Pittsburgh’s 'bathtub' section of the Parkway East

Record levels of rain have flooded several roads in Pittsburgh, including the infamous “bathtub” section of Interstate 376, or the Parkway East, causing a headache for drivers across the region.

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation closed the bathtub — the westbound section of the Parkway between Grant Street and the Fort Pitt Bridge in Downtown Pittsburgh — due to flooding. It remains closed.

It’s unclear when the bathtub will reopen. A call to PennDOT was not immediately returned.

That section of highway is crucial for connections to reach all parts of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and its closure has led to congestion and confusion for motorists.

To navigate around the bathtub, follow the detour recommended by PennDOT.

Traveling westbound I-376

• Take the Grant Street (Exit 71A) off-ramp
• Turn left onto Fort Pitt Boulevard
• Bear left onto the westbound I-376 ramp toward Fort Pitt Bridge/Airport

PennDOT also closed the Interstate Connector, which is the ramp carrying traffic from the Fort Duquesne Bridge on southbound I-279 to eastbound I-376.

If traveling southbound on I-279 to get to eastbound I-376:

• Take southbound I-279 to the Fort Pitt Bridge/westbound I-376
• Continue through the Fort Pitt Tunnel
• Take the Banksville Road/Route 19 (Exit 69A) exit
• Keep left and loop back to eastbound I-376, following signs for Uniontown/Route51
• Continue through the Fort Pitt Tunnel
• Stay in the right-hand lane and follow signs to eastbound I-376/Monroeville

PennDOT also closed several exits in response to the flooding. They include:

• Ramp from Grant Street to westbound I-376
• Ramp from Fifth Avenue/Boulevard of the Allies to west near Oakland
• Access from Point State Park to eastbound I-376
• Ramp from Stanwix Street to eastbound I-376
• Ramp from Market Street to eastbound I-376
• Ramp from Wood Street to eastbound I-376