Jan 20, 2015 2 min read

PennDOT has scheduled ceiling removal work on the inbound (eastbound) side of the Fort Pitt Tunnel on the Parkway West (I-376) for the weekend of Jan. 23-26. Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday night, Jan. 23, the inbound tunnel will close to traffic around-the-clock through 6 a.m. Monday morning, Jan. 26. All traffic will be detoured. Signs will be posted to guide motorists. The posted detour will require eastbound traffic to form a single lane exiting at the North US 19/Route 51 West End (Exit 69C) ramp before the Fort Pitt Tunnel.

The outbound (westbound) tunnel will remain open, although short-term traffic stoppages may occur for equipment access and material removal, spokesman Steve Cowan said. Eight full weekend closures requiring detours will occur during this project. The closures will be scheduled to minimize impacts on downtown events when possible.

Additionally, traffic restrictions will occur during off-peak hours and weekends. Overnight single-lane closures in each tunnel will begin in January, 2015. There will also be a total of four weekend evening full closures.

The $14.17 million project includes the removal of the tunnel ceiling, relocation of CCTV cameras and temperature monitors, concrete repair work to the tunnel walls and air duct arch, waterline and standpipe improvements, electrical updates, drainage improvements, re-roofing of a portion of the North Portal Building, milling and resurfacing of the bituminous roadway, pavement marking, and other miscellaneous construction.