Route 28 drivers planning for congestion because of Parkway East closure
Updated: 8:13 PM EDT Jul 9, 2026
The closure of I-376 Parkway East begins Friday, prompting drivers to plan alternate routes as traffic congestion increases.PennDOT recommends several detours to minimize delays, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 79, Route 48 and Route 148. They also suggest using the turnpike and Route 28, which connects to Harmar Township via Freeport Road. “I just took a quick trip to Monroeville, and the turnpike was crazy busy today, much more than usual, so I assume people are trying to find the alternate ways around,” said driver Jill Wilder.Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube ChannelDrivers say Route 28 was already congested on Thursday.”Absolutely crazy, and the farther you go towards Pittsburgh, the crazier it gets,” Wilder said. “So I would expect the Highland Park Bridge area is going to be more jammed up than usual, and the farther you go towards Pittsburgh, I think it’s going to get busier and busier.” Another driver, Mike Brownfield, said, “Sometime last week, we were backed up from Waterworks to the Harmar exit.” PARKWAY EAST CLOSURE: Everything you need to know, including the detoursFor those heading east on the turnpike, the next exits will be Monroeville/Pittsburgh and Route 22 East Murrysville, so commuters should prepare for extended travel times. Despite the inconvenience, some drivers understand the necessity of the project.”We’d love to have no traffic except me driving down 28, but the reality is the bridge has to be worked on, things have to be fixed,” said a driver named Mark. PennDOT provided real-time travel times for detours: traveling eastbound or outbound from downtown to Monroeville using the local detour or the interstate detour will take approximately 35 minutes, while using the Turnpike and Route 28 will take about 25 minutes.A specialized 511 PA website has been launched to help travelers navigate the closure.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
The closure of I-376 Parkway East begins Friday, prompting drivers to plan alternate routes as traffic congestion increases.
PennDOT recommends several detours to minimize delays, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 79, Route 48 and Route 148. They also suggest using the turnpike and Route 28, which connects to Harmar Township via Freeport Road.
“I just took a quick trip to Monroeville, and the turnpike was crazy busy today, much more than usual, so I assume people are trying to find the alternate ways around,” said driver Jill Wilder.
Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel
Drivers say Route 28 was already congested on Thursday.
“Absolutely crazy, and the farther you go towards Pittsburgh, the crazier it gets,” Wilder said. “So I would expect the Highland Park Bridge area is going to be more jammed up than usual, and the farther you go towards Pittsburgh, I think it’s going to get busier and busier.”
Another driver, Mike Brownfield, said, “Sometime last week, we were backed up from Waterworks to the Harmar exit.”
PARKWAY EAST CLOSURE: Everything you need to know, including the detours
For those heading east on the turnpike, the next exits will be Monroeville/Pittsburgh and Route 22 East Murrysville, so commuters should prepare for extended travel times.
Despite the inconvenience, some drivers understand the necessity of the project.
“We’d love to have no traffic except me driving down 28, but the reality is the bridge has to be worked on, things have to be fixed,” said a driver named Mark.
PennDOT provided real-time travel times for detours: traveling eastbound or outbound from downtown to Monroeville using the local detour or the interstate detour will take approximately 35 minutes, while using the Turnpike and Route 28 will take about 25 minutes.
A specialized 511 PA website has been launched to help travelers navigate the closure.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.