Lokay Lane by Jim Lokay

Parkway East CLOSURES

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:15:20 GMT

You know we're in trouble when PennDOT includes the phrase "expect significant delays" in a press release.

I noticed the signs going up today, but it's now official: the Parkway East outbound will be CLOSED for four nights starting this Thursday.

As crews install bridge beams for the new Jefferson Heights Road Bridge, the work requires major traffic restrictions between the Business 22 interchange (Exit 80) and the Route 48 interchange (Exit 84.)

Here's the schedule for the complete outbound closure:

Thursday, October 22 - 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday
Friday, October 23 - 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. Saturday
Saturday, October 24 - 10 p.m. until 10 a.m. Sunday
Sunday, October 25 - 7 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. Monday

When the road isn't completely closed, you'll see a single outbound lane closure on Friday, and two lanes closed on Saturday and Sunday.

The inbound side will also see a single lane open between Plum (Exit 84) and Penn Hills (Exit 81) throughout the entire weekend starting at 9 a.m. Friday.

More on air later in the week...

Parkway East Weekend Update - 10/9-10/11

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:59:39 GMT

As the weekend nears, here's what's going on along the Parkway East corridor (courtesy of PennDOT):

Inbound:

One lane open between Plum (new exit #84B) and Churchill (new exit #79B) from 9 P.M. Friday night through 5 A.M. Monday morning for paving work.
Also, the inbound on-ramps to the Parkway East from Rodi Road will be closed at various intervals during the same time. They will have detour signs posted to the on-ramp at Business 22.
But wait! That's not all! The off-ramp at Penn Hills will also see sporadic closures through the weekend. Follow the signs to Business 22, Beulah Road, and the ramps to the outbound Parkway East to get to Penn Hills.
And Penn Hills won't be the only area that will see closures. The ramps from Mosside Boulevard (Route 48) to the inbound Parkway East will be closed throughout parts of the weekend. If they're closed, you'll have to head down Business 22 into Wilkins and re-join the Parkway East from there.

There is some good news, though. No outbound closures are scheduled. PennDOT had planned on some outbound bridge work near Churchill, but that has been canceled.

Liberty Tubes: The Saga Continues

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:00:19 GMT

After months and months of outbound tunnel closures overnight for renovations, PennDOT has revealed that the inbound tube will get the same treatment. They're not wasting any time, either. This round of work starts THIS coming Sunday.

The work will typically require a full inbound closure overnight until the 6 A.M. hour, although the outbound tunnel project usually was cleared by 5 A.M. Either way, I don't expect it to cause major problems.

PennDOT-issued release follows:

PennDOT Will Begin Second Phase of $9.8 million Liberty Tunnels Rehabilitation on Sunday Night
Project Funded Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Pittsburgh – PennDOT District 11 announced today that the second phase of work to rehabilitate the Route 3069 (Liberty Tunnel) will begin on Sunday night, Oct. 11. This is the fourth American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) project in Allegheny County

The $9.8 million project, funded through ARRA, was awarded to the Mosites Construction Company of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.

Phase 2 includes structural concrete repairs in the northbound (inbound) tunnel and ventilation shaft improvements and updating/repair of electrical systems in both tunnels. Other minor improvements will also occur.

To allow the necessary work to occur, the inbound Liberty Tunnel will be closed from between the Liberty Bridge and Route 51, Sunday through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. through late August 2010. Outbound traffic will not be affected at this time. Signs will be posted to guide motorists.

Inbound Posted Detour:

Take Route 51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard) north to I-376 (Parkway West)
Take the Parkway West eastbound through the Fort Pitt Tunnel
Bear right on the eastbound Parkway East (I-376)
Take the Parkway East to Grant Street (New Exit 71A/Old Exit 1C)
From Grant Street, make right onto Boulevard of the Allies (Route 885)
Take Boulevard of the Allies east to Liberty Bridge and Tunnels
End detour

Bakerstown Road Closure

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:36:40 GMT

In this era of heightened awareness of the fragility of our infrastructure, anything that could remotely cause alarm takes top priority. Here's some information about the closure of Bakerstown Road in West Deer Township.

From a PennDOT release:

Bakerstown Road Closed Until Further Notice in West Deer Township

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing Bakerstown Road (Route 1028) will be closed until further notice at the intersection with Saxonburg Road (Route 1013) in West Deer Township, Allegheny County, beginning at approximately 3 p.m. this afternoon, Thursday, Oct. 1.

The closure is necessary as a safety precaution after PennDOT bridge inspectors found significant deterioration on the bridge’s gusset plates and a floor beam. The bridge carries Bakertown Road over B. & L.E. railroad tracks. The bridge, known as the Culmerville Truss, is owned by the railroad company, not PennDOT. The 135-foot long, single span deck truss bridge was built in 1921 and last rehabilitated in 1991.

Signs will be posted to guide motorists while the bridge remains closed until necessary repairs can be made by the railroad company. About 4,438 vehicles use Bakerstown Road in this area on an average day.

Posted detour:

From west

Take Saxonburg Boulevard south to East Union Road (Route 1025)
Turn left onto East Union Road and follow to Starr Road (Route 1026).
Turn left onto Starr Road to Russellton Road (Route 1015)
Take left onto Russellton Road and follow north back to Bakerstown Road

From east

Use same detour in opposite direction

G-20 / Day 2 Traffic Outlook

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:09:25 GMT

All is calm to start your morning off. Other than some overnight skirmishes in Oakland, it has been uneventful this morning. Checkpoint traffic is up to speed, and the Parkways are once again barren.

We are keeping our eyes on the march that will happen around noon between Oakland, the City-County Building, and the section of downtown near the Convention Center.

Hope you are all staying safe out there!

G-20 - Getting Around With Pedicabs

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:29:42 GMT

Ever the entrepreneurs, Green Gears Pittsburgh is offering pedicab service through downtown Pittsburgh during the G-20.

G-20 in Oakland Closures

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:10:45 GMT

The following roads are closed in Oakland until at least 12:01 A.M. Friday morning:

Boulevard of the Allies/Panther Hollow Road from Parkview Avenue to Greenfield Road

West Circuit Road from East Circuit Road and Serpentine Drive to Schenley Drive

Schenley Drive from Darlington Road to Frank Curto Drive

Frank Curto Drive from Schenley Drive to Schenley Drive Extension

Frew Street from Schenley Drive to Tech Street

Tech Street from Frew Street to Margaret Morrison Street

Overlook Drive from the Boulevard of the Allies to Greenfield Road

Panther Hollow Road from Schenley Drive to Boulevard of the Allies

Also, Bigelow Blvd is closed around the Cathedral of Learning due to a visit from Russian President Dmitri Medvedev.

G-20 Confrontations in Lawrenceville

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:02:10 GMT

If you haven't seen already, there are plenty of G-20 protestors in Lawrenceville -- they have taken to the side streets and are confronting police. Canisters of OC vapor, smoke bombs, and pepper spray have been fired off in response.

It's ugly out there. Be safe, stay tuned to KDKA-TV and KDKA.com for the latest.

G-20 Bus Update

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:42:35 GMT

Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie says the morning commuter has been exceptionally quiet due to low ridership.

However, KDKA producer Aaron Inver gave up on the bus for his commute. He jumped off the bus rather than sitting through the checkpoint delays near Fifth Avenue. Buses are stacking a bit at the entry points but we are hearing of no significant problems once they clear through.

That's a great reminder that you can walk and bike anywhere your heart desires downtown without police interference. However, you are still required to clear metal detectors near the security perimeter around the Convention Center.

G-20 Checkpoint Update

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:35:49 GMT

KDKA producer Aaron Inver is on a Port Authority bus heading into town. At 8:20, he reported delays at the 5th Avenue checkpoint.

Our traffic spotters say there are delays along Centre Avenue in the Hill approaching Mario Lemieux Place towards 6th Avenue, and 6th Avenue is jammed from Centre to 5th Avenue.

Meanwhile, the south checkpoint has traffic jammed approaching the Smithfield St Bridge in both directions along Carson Street.