Workers and machinery involved in the Parkway East Bridge Replacement project.
Pittsburgh, September 11, 2025
A significant construction project for the Commercial Street Bridge on Parkway East will lead to traffic closures and delays between Pittsburgh and Edgewood. With a $95 million budget, the bridge replacement aims to improve safety for over 100,000 daily vehicles. Traffic disruptions start soon with scheduled beam deliveries, leading to a temporary halt for westbound motorists. The project will also include a full closure planned for summer 2026 and various lane restrictions. New construction methods will be used to ensure reliable traffic flow throughout the project duration.
A significant construction project is being launched for the Commercial Street Bridge on the Parkway East, affecting traffic between Pittsburgh and Edgewood. With an estimated budget of $95 million, the bridge replacement aims to improve safety and reliability for the over 100,000 vehicles that use this key route daily.
The construction involves several planned disruptions to traffic, starting with beam deliveries scheduled to begin on Thursday. Two large trucks will traverse eastbound through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, prompting a temporary halt in westbound traffic for approximately 15 minutes around 9 a.m. This is to ensure the trucks can safely maneuver into the work area. Motorists can expect additional notifications for subsequent beam deliveries, which will also cause traffic delays.
Notably, the Commercial Street Bridge has been in use since 1951 and has shown signs of deterioration over the years. As part of the replacement project, an innovative technique known as accelerated bridge construction will be employed. This method allows the new structure to slide into place once completed and is slated to be one of the largest lateral slide projects in Pennsylvania’s history.
A full closure of the Parkway East is also planned for the summer of 2026, lasting around three weeks to facilitate the demolition of the current bridge and installation of the new one. In addition to this major closure, there will be overnight lane restrictions from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Some daytime work will also take place over lengthy weekends.
In preparation for this construction, eastbound drivers will notice a moveable barrier deployed as part of the safety measures during operations. The project is anticipated to continue into 2027, resulting in various lane restrictions and detours for residents and travelers alike.
Detours during the planned closures will guide vehicles off the parkway at the Wilkinsburg exit, redirecting them onto Penn Avenue and Fifth Avenue before rejoining the parkway via the Boulevard of the Allies.
The existing bridge has been subjected to ongoing monitoring and repairs, with the last major rehabilitation taking place approximately 15 years ago. The new design will feature a steel structure painted green, offering a modern contrast to the original concrete features of the bridge. Safety improvements are a priority, such as avoiding the need for long-term lane closures associated with traditional reconstruction methods.
Throughout construction, local streets and trails running under the bridge will be rerouted to accommodate heavy machinery and safeguard the surrounding environment. Once the project concludes, Commercial Street will remain closed temporarily for area cleanup and restoration following the demolition.
The project has an estimated budget of $95 million.
The full closure is planned for summer 2026, lasting approximately three weeks.
Detours will direct traffic off the parkway at the Wilkinsburg exit, onto Penn Avenue and Fifth Avenue, then back onto the parkway via the Boulevard of the Allies.
The new bridge will feature a steel structure and will be painted green.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Budget | $95 million |
| Current Bridge Age | Constructed in 1951 |
| Daily Traffic | Over 100,000 vehicles |
| Full Closure | Summer 2026 for approximately three weeks |
| Construction Technique | Accelerated bridge construction |
| Projected Completion | Into 2027 |
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