Pittsburg, PA
Community weighs in on future of Parkway East bridge over Four Mile Run
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — PennDOT is looking at rebuilding or rehabbing a major bridge on the Parkway East in Pittsburgh.
The bridge was built in the 1950s and carries Interstate 376 over the small neighborhood of Four Mile Run. A park and playground sit underneath the bridge, and homes stand just feet away.
PennDOT officials asked members of the public to provide feedback to them at a meeting on Wednesday. They stressed they were early in the planning stages.
They shared that while the bridge is listed in “fair” condition, it has been deteriorating. But for people who live near the bridge, the project could come with a cost. They are concerned about the possibility PennDOT will need to buy some of the homes near the bridge for the construction project.
“I don’t want to see my neighbors have to go because our neighborhood is so small already,” said Ziggy Edwards. “When you take into consideration the harm that was done to the neighborhood with the initial construction and how it has continued over the years, it should be a real consideration to protect the integrity of the community.”
At the meeting on Wednesday, KDKA-TV asked Doug Seeley, an assistant district executive at PennDOT District 11, which properties could be impacted
“We do not know that now. That would primarily depend on the option that is developed here, whether it is a replacement or rehabilitation, Seeley said.
Another bridge-related issue neighbors say they have faced is falling debris. As mentioned in the PennDOT presentation, debris occasionally falls on the playground below the bridge. Neighbors say it poses a safety issue for kids.
“Everyone in the neighborhood shares that concern,” Edwards said.
The material falling onto the playground is meant as a temporary measure to protect neighbors by catching debris that flies off the highway. It’s not a perfect system, but PennDOT is planning to replace the temporary protective material this fall.
“Some of (my neighbors) have suffered damage to their vehicles that are parked across the street because of crashes and things flying off the bridge,” Edwards said.
At Wednesday’s meeting, neighbors also asked PennDOT to consider frequent flooding, noise, and the ability to use the nearby trail and the playground.
“We’re really concerned with the issues that the property owners and the community have with this project. That’s why we’re here today. We want to make sure we are considering those things as we move forward with the design,” Seeley said.
PennDOT’s presentation said it could potentially add additional fencing on both sides to either a rehabbed or rebuilt bridge to keep things from flying off.
Construction could start in 2028. PennDOT officials say they will do their best to minimize traffic impacts.
One of Pittsburgh’s biggest goals before hosting the NFL Draft was to modernize Market Square. It is just one of the spaces in the downtown area that is being transformed for the massive event.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
2026 NFL Draft Pittsburgh regional transportation plan unveiled
With the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh quickly approaching, city officials and Pittsburgh Regional Transit unveiled its regional transportion plan.
Extensive road closures will be in place around Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium from April 22-25 as the 2026 NFL Draft brings three days of excitement and football fans into the city of Pittsburgh.
During NFL Draft events, the city’s Downtown and North Shore areas will convert to a walkable “Draft Campus,” with motorized traffic limited to Pittsburgh Regional Transit vehicles, the city’s light rail system (the “T”) and other official providers.
Therefore, many streets into and around the “Draft Campus” are closed to vehicle traffic starting April 22. Traffic patterns will be adjusted to allow Pirates fans to access PNC Park for baseball games held during the road closures, according to NFLDraftPittsburgh.com.
In addition to these streets, the Interstate 279 and Interstate 579 High Occupancy Vehicle lanes into the city are closed to vehicle traffic all week; only authorized bus traffic and emergency vehicles will be permitted to use those lanes.
People planning to use the Beaver County Transit Authority bus to reach downtown Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft events can find more information about the authority’s bus service plans on the BCTA website.
Here is the list of road closures in place from April 22-25, according to NFLDraftPittsburgh.com, which has a complete guide to getting into and around the city during NFL Draft events.
- Art Rooney Avenue
- West General Robinson Street to Tony Dorsett Drive
- Scotland Avenue
- Casino Drive, from Sproat Way
- North Shore Drive, from Chuck Noll Way
- Reedsdale Street to Tony Dorsett Drive
- Chuck Noll Way
- Tony Dorsett Drive
- Sproat Way
- Allegheny Avenue from Ridge Avenue
- North Shore Drive, from Chuck Noll Way to Mazeroski Way
- Mazeroski Way
- West General Robinson Street
- Lacock Street, from Federal Street
- Federal Street, from Lacock Street
- Merchant Street
- I-279 southbound exit 1B ramp
- I-279 northbound exit 1B ramp
- Route 65 southbound ramp to Fort Duquesne
- Route 65 northbound ramp from Fort Duquesne Bridge
- T1 ramp from Reedsdale Street and Ridge Avenue
- Sixth Street Bridge, aka the Roberto Clemente Bridge
- Seventh Street Bridge, aka the Andy Warhol Bridge
- Isabella Street
- Sixth Street
- Fort Pitt on ramp, from 10th Street Bypass and Fort Duquesne Boulevard
- Commonwealth Place
- Liberty Avenue extension
- Penn Avenue, from Stanwix Street to 9th Street
- Liberty Avenue/PPG Paints Arena exit off the Fort Pitt Bridge
- Smithfield Street Bridge
Pennsylvania’s 511PA.com online transportation website will feature a special NFL webpage providing real-time traffic information in and around the city during the NFL Draft.
-
San Francisco, CA7 minutes agoS.F. hospital stabbing analysis confirms Mission Local reporting on security lapses
-
Dallas, TX13 minutes agoIt’s a big week for restaurant openings and closings in Dallas
-
Miami, FL19 minutes agoCain, Kushner launch South Florida JV with plans for Edgewater rental tower
-
Boston, MA25 minutes agoMBTA Green Line trains out from Kenmore to Boston College on B branch through April 30
-
Denver, CO31 minutes agoNuggets vs. Timberwolves | 3 keys to a Denver win in Game 3
-
Seattle, WA37 minutes agoThe Honorable Brandon Lee Gowton Picks for Seattle at #32 | Field Gulls
-
San Diego, CA43 minutes agoPerson struck, killed by train in Encinitas
-
Milwaukee, WI49 minutes agoFatal opioid overdoses decline in Milwaukee County