I-279 HOV long-term closure in advance of pier repair work begins next week weather permitting

(File Photo of Road Work Ahead Sign)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) According to a release from PennDOT District 11, PennDOT announced that a long-term closure will begin weather permitting on Tuesday, June 24 in Pittsburgh starting at around 6 a.m. This will involve the I-279 High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in Pittsburgh because of work that is needed before pier repairs start on southbound Interstate 579. A new traffic configuration will be prepared by crews. According to that same release from PennDOT District 11, here are some more information about this work:

For this work to occur, the I-279 portion of the HOV lanes will close to traffic around-the-clock until the new traffic configuration can be implemented in early to mid-July. The repair plan makes necessary long-term repairs while maintaining as much traffic flow as possible. Crews will begin removal of concrete barrier between southbound I-279 and the I-279 HOV lanes as well as between the southbound I-579 HOV lanes and southbound I-579 along the Veterans Bridge over the Allegheny River. Additionally, temporary barrier installation, updated signage, asphalt paving, Intelligent Transportation Systems work, drainage modifications, and line painting will occur in advance of the new traffic configuration. Once preparatory work is completed, the new traffic configuration will utilize a portion of the southbound I-279 HOV lanes and the southbound I-579 HOV lanes to carry traffic from southbound I-279 to southbound I-579 while pier repair work occurs. It is anticipated that in early to mid-July, repair work will begin on bridge piers on southbound I-579. To accommodate this work, the following traffic configuration will be implemented:

  •  Southbound I-279 traffic to southbound I-579 will be crossed over into the I-279 HOV lanes approximately 480 feet south of the Swindell Bridge.
  •  Crossed over traffic will continue onto the I-579 HOV lanes.
  • ·Once on the Veterans Bridge, traffic from the southbound I-579 HOV lanes will be crossed back over into the southbound I-579 lanes.
  • ·Two 11-foot lanes will be maintained in this new configuration.

Additional traffic restrictions include:

  • The southbound Route 28 ramp to southbound I-579 (Ramp G) will be closed to traffic.
  • The current ramp from southbound I-279 to southbound I-579 will be closed to traffic.
  • All access to HOV entrances and exits from southbound I-279, the Perrysville Park and Ride, McKnight Road, Anderson Street, Mazeroski Way, and Bedford Avenue will be closed to traffic.
  • Access to the southbound I-279 HOV lanes south of the split to the I-579 HOV lanes will be prohibited.

Posted Detour

Southbound Route 28 ramp to southbound I-579

  • From southbound Route 28, take the East Ohio Street (Exit 1B) off-ramp
  • From East Ohio Street, turn right onto Madison Avenue
  • Madison Avenue becomes East Street
  • Follow East Street to Venture Avenue
  • Turn right onto the ramp to southbound I-279 toward Downtown
  • From southbound I-279, take the crossed over lanes to southbound I-579
  • End detour

Additional related information:

  • The HOV lanes will remain closed for the Independence Day holiday.
  • At least two lanes will be maintained on mainline I-279 in the southbound direction.
  • Northbound I-579 will remain in its current configuration.
  • Repairs on northbound I-579 piers will begin once the southbound work is completed. Details will be provided in advance of the phase change.