Community Corner
Squirrel Hill Tunnel Detour Route Improvements Set for Wednesday, Thursday
An outbound tunnel closure is scheduled for this weekend, April 5-8.
PennDOT plans to improve the detour route for the Squirrel Hill Tunnel on the Parkway East on Wednesday and Thursday, April 3-4, weather permitting.
Crews will be roadway patching in various locations on the detour. Work requiring short-term lane closures will occur as needed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the following roadways:
- Forward Avenue
- Forbes Avenue
- South Braddock Avenue
This weekend’s closure of the outbound Squirrel Hill Tunnel will occur from 11 p.m. on Friday, April 5, through 6 a.m. on Monday, April 8.
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Crews will begin work to remove the outbound tunnel ceiling and continue rehabilitation and preservation work on the outbound bridge over Commercial Street.
When overall work is completed, vertical clearance in the outbound tunnel will increase from 13 feet, 6 inches to 14 feet, 9 inches.
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Additionally, multiple improvement activities will occur in the tunnel as well to maximize productivity during the closure.
Detour signs will be posted to guide motorists. The posted detour will require eastbound traffic to form a single lane exiting at the Squirrel Hill/Homestead interchange (Exit 74). Significant delays should be expected and alternate routes considered.
The inbound 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 made improvements at key intersections and police will be posted to keep traffic moving on the posted detour.
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 month of April; however it is important to note this schedule is tentative and subject to change based on work progress and other variables:
- April 19-22, outbound closure
- April 26-29, outbound closure
Additional closures will be announced in the future as progress is evaluated.
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