Traffic delays expected during nearly 2-year-long ramp closure on I-579 in Pittsburgh

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Traffic delays expected during nearly 2-year-long ramp closure on I-579 in Pittsburgh

Bob Bauder | Thursday, September 5, 2019 5:30 p.m.

Allegheny County Sports and Exhibition Authority

A “cap” over Interstate 579 — known as the Crosstown Expressway — in Pittsburgh will include a 3-acre park with pedestrian pathways between the Hill District and Downtown, an amphitheater, stage, lawns, landscaping, recreation areas, art, and other amenities.

A northbound exit ramp on I-579 to Seventh Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh will close for 700 days starting Friday morning for construction of a “cap” over the expressway.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reminded drivers to find alternative routes for Downtown access from the highway running between the Liberty Tunnels and the North Side.

Crews will place concrete barriers at the ramp and southbound I-579 will be shifted into two 11-foot wide lanes. Approximately 2,250 vehicles use the ramp each day.

PennDOT is suggesting the following detour route:

From northbound I-579, take the PPG Arena/Centre Avenue off-ramp Turn right onto Washington Place Turn right onto Fifth Avenue Turn right onto 6th Avenue Turn right onto Grant Street Follow Grant Street back to 7th Avenue

Pittsburgh will close the northbound lane of Chatham Street between Centre Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard starting on Monday. It is scheduled to reopen in December.

The long-awaited $30 million cap project will feature a three-acre public park bordered by Bigelow Boulevard and Centre Avenue and Chatham Street and Washington Place. It’s scheduled for completion in 2022.

The project includes upgrades to retaining walls, road reconstruction, drainage improvements, traffic signals, highway lighting and landscaping.

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