PennDOT is planning for the complete closure of both eastbound and westbound lanes of I-376 (Parkway East) from the Squirrel Hill exit to the Edgewood/Swissvale exit for about three weeks due to the Commercial Street Bridge Replacement. This closure is expected to occur from July 10 through August 3*. The Office of Human Resources wants our Pittsburgh campus community to be aware of the implications of this closure, as well as the University’s responses to mitigate concerns.
This construction will have a significant impact on all employees and visitors commuting to and from our Pittsburgh campus, as well as public safety around campus, as the primary interstate detour routes traffic onto Fifth and Forbes Avenues directly through campus.
The Office of Human Resources is working with our partners in Pitt Mobility, Public Safety, University Communications and others to raise overall awareness of the closure and its impact. We are recommending the following measures to minimize operational disruptions and maintain employee safety during this closure.
- During this period, the Office of Human Resources is encouraging maximum flexibility. We ask that, when possible, supervisors encourage and allow employees who have the ability to work remotely to do so, and to encourage flexibility in hours worked, so that employees who do have to travel to and from campus can do so outside their regular schedule to avoid busier travel times. As this is a specifically time-limited modification, there is no need to file a new Flexible Work Agreement over temporary changes to schedule or work location, but employees must obtain supervisory approval for any changes in advance.
- Please note that summer classes are in session and we must uphold our commitment to maintaining a strong academic environment. As such, modifications to class engagement and/or student-facing services should be made with this commitment in mind.
- Employees needing to travel to Oakland should carpool or use public transportation. Sharing rides or using public transit can reduce traffic and make your commute less stressful. View information about additional Park & Ride locations.
- Employees should plan ahead. Review detour maps, allow extra travel time, and consider rescheduling non-essential in-person meetings during the closure period.
- We urge all employees to download and use the 511PA app and visit the 511pa.com website for real-time traffic updates with live detour times to best plan your travel in and around campus. You can also sign up for email updates and alerts and find additional resources at pa.gov/CommercialStBridge.
Our partners in Public Safety will be sharing specific messaging related to campus safety on this alerts page and on their social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and X, but we remind all employees to exercise extreme caution around the increased vehicular traffic expected on Fifth and Forbes Avenues.
James W. Gallaher, Jr.
Vice Chancellor for Human Resources
Joseph J. McCarthy
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
* Note: This schedule is subject to change. Any updates from PennDOT on timing will be shared as soon as we learn of them.