Outbound Squirrel Hill Tunnel Closes this Weekend

The outbound (eastbound) Squirrel Hill Tunnel on the Parkway East (I-376) will be closed this weekend, May 17-20.

The tunnel will remain open in both directions during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, May 24-27, according to PennDOT.

The closing will occur from 11 p.m. on Friday, May 17, through 6 a.m. on Monday, May 20 so that crews can begin the replacement of concrete bridge slabs inside the tunnel and continue to remove the tunnel ceiling.

When overall work is completed, vertical clearance in the eastbound tunnel will increase from 13 feet-6 inches to 14 feet-9 inches.  

Additional improvement activities include foundation work for the sign structure of the Over Height Truck Detection System, electrical work and concrete repairs inside the tunnel.

Detour signs will be posted to guide motorists. Eastbound traffic will be required to form a single lane exiting at the Squirrel Hill/Homestead interchange (Exit 74).

PennDOT said significant delays should be expected and alternate routes considered. 

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. PennDOT has also made improvements at key intersections and police will be posted to keep traffic moving on the detour routes.

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 delays are occurring during the outbound closings, 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 closings will be announced in the future as progress is evaluated. Tunnels remain open weekdays with only single-lane closings on weeknights.