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
City Officials Announce Even More Road Closures Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft City officials have finalized the third and final phase of road closures ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, marking the most extensive traffic adjustments to date. The Pittsburgh Local Organizing Committee, in collaboration with PennDOT, Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, announced the closures as part of a broader effort to transform Downtown and the North Shore into a pedestrian-friendly event space. These changes will take effect from April 22 to April 26, coinciding with the draft events. The updated closures include a comprehensive list of roads and highways, adding to the previously announced Phase 1 and Phase 2 restrictions. Key affected areas include Allegheny Avenue from Ridge Avenue, North Shore Drive between Chuck Noll Way and Mazeroski Way, West General Robinson Street, and Lacock Street from Federal Street. Federal Street will also be closed between Lacock Street and its intersection with other major thoroughfares. Additional closures span major highways such as I-279 Southbound and Northbound Exit 1B ramps, Rt 65 Southbound and Northbound ramps near the Fort Duquesne Bridge, and the T1 ramp connecting Reedsdale Street and Ridge Avenue. The 6th Street Bridge (Roberto Clemente), 7th Street Bridge (Andy Warhol), and Ft Pitt Bridge on the 10th Street Bypass and Ft. Duquesne Blvd will also be closed. Commonwealth Place, Liberty Ave Extension, Penn Avenue between Stanwix Street and 9th Street, and the Liberty Ave/PPG Paints Arena Exit off the Ft Pitt Bridge are among the other locations impacted. Smithfield St. Bridge is also included in the closures.#allegheny_county #pittsburgh_local_organizing_committee #pennDOT #city_of_pittsburgh #pittsburgh_regional_transit
