More Roads Are Now Closed Ahead of NFL Draft
The second phase of road closures near the event footprint are in effect as of Monday, April 13.
PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER
As the 2026 NFL Draft draws near, drivers may be seeing more and more road closures.
The Pittsburgh Local organizing committee, in partnership with PennDOT, Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, announced its second phase of road closures ahead of the monumental event.
From April 13-April 21, drivers will not be able to access the following roads:
- Casino Drive (from Sproat Way)
- North Short Drive (to Chuck Noll Way)
- Reedsdale Street (to Tony Dorsett Drive)
- Chuck Noll Way
- Tony Dorsett Drive
- I-279 Southbound Exit 1B ramp to Reedsdale Street
- Reedsdale Underpass
These closures are in addition to the previous closures announced as part of Phase One.
City officials say these restrictions are necessary to support event infrastructure, enhance public safety and create “a seamless fan experience” across the Draft footprint as preparations accelerate for the largest sporting event the city has ever hosted.
“Hosting the NFL Draft is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Pittsburgh, and we’re committed to ensuring both residents and visitors can experience it with ease,” Jerad Bachar, President and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH, says in a statement.
VisitPITTSBURGH has also been pushing hard for residents and visitors alike to embrace the city’s public transit when headed to the Draft; the new “Football Flyer” routes will shuttle passengers from all four cardinal directions to the event epicenter for free, although bus service to and from other parts of the city will be limited in order to accommodate Draft-specific routes, according to PRT’s website.
Additionally, a first-of-its-kind partnership with Sheetz will provide travelers with free rides across the T’s Red, Blue and Silver lines, as well as on the Monongahela Incline.
“Major events like the NFL Draft are exactly when public transit plays its most important role,” Katharine Kelleman, CEO of Pittsburgh Regional Transit, says in a statement. “With frequent service, direct routes, and now free rides on our Football Flyer routes, we’re making it easy for people across the region to get Downtown, enjoy the experience, and get home safely — without worrying about traffic or parking.”
No matter where you’re coming from or going to during Draft weekend, city officials encourage all travelers to plan ahead and allow for extra time as 500,000-700,000 visitors make their way to the city April 23-25.
