Pittsburgh, December 13, 2007 -- On April 2, 2007, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) began a major, 20-month long, reconstruction project involving the Boulevard of the Allies (SR885) corridor on the western section of Oakland, the home of UPMC Presbyterian and the University of Pittsburgh main campus. This project involves the complete renovation and redesign of the boulevard's entrance and exit ramps to Forbes and Fifth Avenues including the demolition of the existing boulevard bridge over Forbes Avenue.

Beginning midnight on January 3, 2008, the Boulevard of the Allies approaching Oakland will be closed at the Parkway East exit ramp for the duration of the project. In addition, Forbes Avenue will be closed the weekends of January 4-6, January 18-20 and February 1-3. During this period the bridge will be razed.

For detailed detour information, please access the project construction website via the link at the upper right of this page.

The Boulevard of the Allies is one of the main roadway entrances from points west, south and north into Oakland. In addition, the boulevard serves as a major corridor between downtown Pittsburgh and the city's eastern neighborhoods and suburbs. Consequently, this project has had a major impact on traffic entering and leaving the university area.

Substantial travel delays should be expected. Visitors should keep this project in mind when planning travel times to our Oakland offices.

Please visit the Oakland Transportation Management Association website for details, updates and detour information regarding this project and other Oakland transportation issues.

See also:

December 13 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article

March 30 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article

March 29 KDKA.com article and video

March 27 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article

March 27 pittsburghchannel.com (WTAE-TV) article