I applaud the idea of improving the traffic flow along the Parkway East (“$142M in federal funding to address congestion, transit along Pittsburgh’s Parkway East,” Dec. 19, TribLive). We all know it’s a mess. But I think they are missing the mark.
Improving the shoulders so commuter buses will have a quicker trip, thus alleviating congestion, may help during rush hour, but how about the other 20 hours that it is congested?
May I suggest expanding the number of lanes of traffic on both sides of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel? Improve the on-ramps to help with merging traffic, and — a big one — increase the size of the tunnel itself. I don’t know if that is possible and what the cost would be, but that would help more travelers most of the time. The other big issue is that travelers always slow down driving up to the entrance to the tunnel. I don’t think that issue can ever be fixed.
I think the planners and engineers need to really study the causes, then come up with a solution that has a better chance of improving the situation.
Ron Giuliana
North Huntingdon