Community Corner

Outbound Squirrel Hill Tunnel Closed Next Two Weekends

The closure will take place during the Race for the Cure.

PennDOT will close the outbound (eastbound) Squirrel Hill Tunnel on the Parkway East (I-376) during the next two weekends, May 10-13 and May 17-20.

"Significant delays should be expected and alternate routes considered," according to the PennDOT news release. 

The closure will be taking place during the Komen Race for the Cure in Oakland on Sunday, May 12.

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The closures will occur from 10 p.m. on Friday through 6 a.m. on Monday.

Signs will be posted to guide motorists. 

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The posted detour will require eastbound traffic to form a single lane exiting at the Squirrel Hill/Homestead interchange (Exit 74). 

The inbound (westbound) tunnel will remain open while the outbound tunnel is closed, although short-term inbound traffic stoppages may occur for equipment access and material removal.  

To minimize impacts on businesses in Squirrel Hill, which will remain open and accessible, different detours are being used during day and night hours. 

Daylight detour (6 a.m. to 8 p.m.) 

  • Exit at Squirrel Hill (Exit 74)
  • Make left onto Forward Avenue
  • Continue taking slight right and stay on Forward Avenue
  • Left onto Beechwood Boulevard
  • Right onto Forbes Avenue
  • Right onto South Braddock Avenue
  • End detour at outbound Parkway East on-ramp   

Night detour (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.)

  • Exit at Squirrel Hill (Exit 74)
  • Make left onto Forward Avenue
  • Continue slight left/straight onto Murray Avenue
  • Right onto Forbes Avenue
  • Right onto South Braddock Avenue
  • End detour at outbound Parkway East on-ramp  

If significant congestion and delay are occurring during the outbound closures, PennDOT suggests the following alternative:

  • From eastbound I-376, take the Forbes Avenue (Exit 72A) to Oakland
  • Continue on Forbes Avenue through Oakland
  • Make left onto South Bellafield Avenue
  • Make right onto Fifth Avenue
  • Continue east on Fifth Avenue
  • Make right onto Penn Avenue (Route 380/8)
  • Continue through Wilkinsburg
  • Access Parkway East in Forest Hills     

The following additional closures are planned through the months of May and June; however it is important to note this schedule is tentative and subject to change based on work progress and other variables:

  • May 31-June 3, inbound closure
  • June 7-10, inbound closure

Additional closures will be announced in the future as progress is evaluated.

The overall work is expected to finish in summer 2014. Click here for more information on the project.

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