CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY ON THE GREEN REPLACEMENT BRIDGE BESIDES THE PARKWAY EAST. IN JULY, THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL STREET BRIDGE ON THE PARKWAY WILL BE IMPLODED AND THE GREEN BRIDGE WILL BE SLID INTO ITS PLACE. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

We haven’t heard much lately about the massive highway construction project that will disrupt the commutes of thousands and thousands of Pittsburghers next summer.

But the $95 million Interstate-376 Commercial Street Bridge Replacement Project that will completely close the Parkway East for most of July moves into a new phase on Monday, Nov. 17.

That’s when Commercial Street/Forward Avenue — which connects Squirrel Hill with Swisshelm Park by passing under the bridge — will close for two months through Jan. 20 as work continues on the project. Also closing are all bicycle and pedestrian paths between the Nine Mile Run Trail and Frick Park parking lots. Detours will be posted.

THIS IS A RENDERING OF THE ARCHED DELTA FRAME STRUCTURE THAT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING COMMERCIAL STREET BRIDGE ON THE PARKWAY EAST. | COURTESY OF PENNDOT

Passing motorists can see the many cranes and new Arched Delta Frame structure rising along the south side of the current Commercial Street Bridge, near the Squirrel Hill Tunnels. When finished, the new bridge will laterally slide into the location of the current bridge after it is imploded. The project will close the parkway in both directions — which carries 100,000 motorists a day — for 25 days.

Motorists in coming months can expect single-lane and shoulder restrictions in each direction of the parkway on weekends and weeknights through 2026, according to officials with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Additionally, in 2025, there will be several overnight full closures and detours of eastbound I-376, as well as a full weekend closure in each direction.

Once the new bridge is slid into position, vehicle traffic will resume on the parkway. But it will be another year before the whole project is completed, as debris needs to be cleared and Commercial Street realigned and park trees and landscaping restored. Updates on the project can be found at the Commercial Street Bridge webpage.