Pittsburgh is preparing to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors for the NFL Draft next month.
City and county officials are urging visitors and commuters to use public transit during the event saying it will be the easiest way to get around.
“Do not drive that week,” said Pittsburgh Regional Transit CEO Katharine Kelleman. “Let us get you there.”
Draft organizers on Wednesday unveiled a transportation plan that includes road closures, enhanced transit routes, and information for navigating Downtown and the North Shore on Draft days.
“ So often, everybody thinks this is for visitors. This is also for Pittsburghers. This is your draft,” said Mayor Corey O’Connor. “This is about us and our city. Not the people that are coming in from out of town, especially not the Ravens fans.”
From April 22-25, PRT will operate an expanded service.
Kelleman said the goal is to move a lot of people as efficiently as possible.
“ That means focusing our service where we can carry the most riders and keep people moving to and from the draft. And if you are here and you have no desire to go to the draft, but you’ve got a job to get to, we’ve got you covered for that too,” Kelleman said.
New “football flyer” routes that run every 15 minutes will bring people from park and ride locations north, south, east and west of the city to the Point and North Shore. The red and blue lines of the T will also run every 15 minutes. The Airport Flyer will run more frequently.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit will expand service to move fans during the NFL Draft.
Most bus routes will operate on a Saturday schedule during the Draft. High-ridership corridors, such as the east and west busways, will run on weekday schedules for the length of the Draft. All routes will make their normal stops, unless otherwise noted.
PRT fares will not change during the Draft. A special $25 pass will be available through the Ready2Ride app that will allow unlimited rides for seven days.
Kelleman said PRT will be all hands on deck during the Draft, from bus drivers to maintenance crews.
“The most important thing you can do for any rider is plan ahead. Know your route. Give yourself extra time,” she said.
Transit agencies outside Allegheny County are also planning express routes, extended hours, and connections to park and ride locations to get travelers to the Draft without needing to drive.
Those who do wish to drive are encouraged to give themselves lots of extra time, to carpool, and to use apps to reserve parking in garages. Parking rates are expected to increase during the event.
Several streets will be closed on the North Shore and Downtown in phases, starting March 28. Roads around the North Shore stadiums will close first, as the Draft theater is finished. Closures will expand closer to the event.
Pittsburgh Organizing Committee
Roads will close in phases between March 28 and May 10.
Once at the Draft, people are encouraged to get around using pedestrian paths, free T service between Downtown and the North Shore, and free shuttle service from the Gateway Clipper.
Fans walking between Downtown and the North Shore can use the Roberto Clemente Bridge, which will be closed to vehicles. The pedestrian bridge that connects Point State Park to the North Shore will be closed, due to concerns over crowd size.