PITTSBURGH, March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- To ensure the safety of motorists as
contractors improve the internal electrical and ventilation systems of the
Fort Pitt Tunnels, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT)
announced today the opening of a detour route around the Fort Pitt Tunnel work
zone.
The outbound detour route will follow Interstate 279 South across the Fort
Pitt Bridge to Route 837 (Carson Street). Motorists will continue through the
West End Circle to Route 51 and connect to Interstate 279 North/Parkway West.
The detour route will redirect traffic around nighttime construction between
downtown Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh International Airport during the hours
of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and select weekends.
"This detour route enables outbound motorists to safely avoid our
contractors' work zone. The detour will be in place for the outbound lane
until October 2001. Beginning October 2001, the detour route will change to
assist inbound motorists," stated PENNDOT spokesperson Dick Skrinjar.
The inbound detour route will reverse following Interstate 279/Parkway
West to Greentree Hill to the Route 51 exit. From Route 51 motorists will
travel to the West End Circle to Route 837 (Carson Street) onto the Fort Pitt
Bridge (I-279).
The detour route was established to ensure the safety of motorists as
contractors improve the internal electrical and ventilation systems of the
Fort Pitt Tunnels. Future work includes closing the outbound bridge deck and
tunnel in 2002 and the inbound bridge deck and tunnel in 2003. During these
closings, PENNDOT will resurface the bridge deck, repaint the structure of the
bridge and install new lighting in the tunnels.
Motorists can obtain more information and updates about the Fort Pitt
Bridge and Tunnel Rehabilitation Project at http://www.epenndot.com or by calling
1-877-450-4279.
SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
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Related links:
http://www.epenndot.com
CONTACT:
Dick Skrinjar of the Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation, 877-450-4279
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