City Officials Announce Even More Road Closures Ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
Organizers encourage fans to explore the event on foot and to allow for extra time when traveling around the city.
PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO
Even more road closures have gone into effect ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Pittsburgh Local Organizing Committee, in partnership with PennDOT, Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, announced the third and final pre-event phase of road closures and traffic modifications ahead of next week’s events.
Officials say it represents the most significant traffic adjustment yet — “and the moment when Downtown and the North Shore begin the full transformation into a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly Draft campus.”
Phase 3 road closures will be in effect from April 22-26 and include the following roads, in additional to all previously announced Phase 1 and Phase 2 closures:
- Sproat Way
- Allegheny Ave from Ridge Ave
- North Shore Drive (from Chuck Noll Way to Mazeroski Way)
- Mazeroski Way
- West General Robinson Street
- Lacock Street from Federal Street
- Federal Street from Lacock Street
- Merchant Street
- I-279 Southbound Exit 1B ramp
- I-279 Northbound Exit 1B ramp
- Rt 65 Southbound ramp to Ft. Duquesne Bridge
- Rt 65 Northbound ramp from Ft. Duquesne Bridge,
- T1 ramp from Reedsdale Street and Ridge Ave
- 6th Street Bridge (Roberto Clemente),
- 7th Street Bridge (Andy Warhol)
- Isabella Street
- Sixth Street
- Ft Pitt Bridge on ramp from 10th Street Bypass and Ft. Duquesne Blvd
- Commonwealth Place
- Liberty Ave Extension
- Penn Avenue (from Stanwix Street to 9th Street)
- Liberty Ave/PPG Paints Arena Exit off Ft. Pitt Bridge
- 279 HOV
- Smithfield St. Bridge
The organizing committee is marketing the Draft as a highly walkable and pedestrian-friendly event, and officials urge fans to explore on foot.
VisitPITTSBURGH also points to the addition of numerous bus routes that will be servicing the Draft footprint, including four “Football Flyer” routes that will shuttle folks from the suburbs to the north, south, east and west of the city proper.
“With thoughtful planning and expanded transportation options, we’re making it easy for everyone to be part of this once-in-a-generation event,” Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH, says in a statement. “We encourage fans to plan ahead, take transit and enjoy everything Pittsburgh has to offer.”
Sheetz is also sponsoring free rides of the T’s Red, Blue and Silver lines, as well as the Monongahela Incline.
