Navigating Pittsburgh During the 2026 NFL Draft: A Guide for Commuters City and county officials have urged residents to rely on public transit to avoid the chaos of road closures and traffic congestion during the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in Pittsburgh from April 23 to April 25. While driving is technically possible, commuters are advised to plan carefully due to extensive detours, closed bridges, and limited access to key areas. Public transportation, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) services, will be expanded to accommodate the influx of visitors and event attendees. For those living in Oakland, road closures are minimal, but drivers should be aware of specific restrictions. The Smithfield Street Bridge will be closed from April 22 to April 25, affecting traffic between the South Side and Downtown. Residents in the northern suburbs who need to cross the North Side or Downtown should avoid the I-279 north and southbound ramps at Exit 1B and the Route 65 ramps to the Fort Duquesne Bridge. The Sixth (Clemente) and Seventh (Warhol) Street Bridges will also be closed during this period, requiring alternative routes. Downtown Pittsburgh will see significant disruptions, with road closures on Penn Avenue, Liberty Avenue, and the Ft. Pitt Bridge on-ramp from the 10th Street Bypass to Fort Duquesne Boulevard. To mitigate congestion, PRT will operate on a Saturday schedule throughout the draft, with expanded services around Downtown and the North Side. High-ridership routes like the east and west busways will follow weekday schedules, while the red and blue lines of the T will run every 15 minutes.#pittsburgh #pittsburgh_regional_transit #pittsburgh_marathon #ahn #acrisure_stadium
