PITTSBURGH \u2014 With just 29 days until the NFL Draft comes to Pittsburgh, city leaders say this will be the largest event the city has ever hosted \u2014 and they\u2019re warning visitors to plan ahead.<\/p>\n
>>> The NFL Draft is approaching in Pittsburgh. Here\u2019s what we know about the campus so far <<<<\/a> <\/p>\n The biggest message from Wednesday\u2019s press conference: don\u2019t drive.<\/p>\n Officials say a large portion of the North Shore will be completely closed to traffic, making parking extremely limited and difficult to find.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to carry as many people as possible using public transportation,\u201d said Katharine Kellerman with Pittsburgh Regional Transit. \u201cThis is about moving a really large number of people efficiently and reliably over a short period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n To handle the crowds, Pittsburgh Regional Transit plans to increase service on the light rail system. The Red and Blue lines will run every 15 minutes between the South Hills, Downtown, and the North Shore.<\/p>\n Additional buses will also run from park-and-ride locations across Western Pennsylvania, giving people options from multiple directions.<\/p>\n Still, officials are strongly discouraging anyone from driving to the event.<\/p>\n \u201cDo not drive that week \u2014 and if you do, please don\u2019t call me and complain,\u201d Kellerman joked.<\/p>\n Organizers say even people who have never used public transit before should consider it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know people are going to want to drive, and there will be some parking,\u201d said Troy Schooley with P3R. \u201cBut we really encourage people to try transit \u2014 even for the first time. You might fall in love.\u201d<\/p>\n There will also be major changes for pedestrians.<\/p>\n The direct walkway connecting Point State Park to the North Shore will be closed due to safety concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a fan experience and red carpet at the Point, and with that many people moving between events, that pedestrian bridge just can\u2019t handle the volume,\u201d said Mayor Corey O\u2019Connor. \u201cPeople will need to use other bridges, like they would for a Steelers or Pirates game.\u201d<\/p>\n Unlike major concerts on the North Shore \u2014 including events like Taylor Swift\u2019s Eras Tour \u2014 officials say nearby parking lots and garages will not be available. Many roads will instead be closed to allow for large crowds to move safely on foot.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> for a list of roads that will close during the Draft.<\/p>\n City leaders say the goal is not only to get people to the Draft, but to encourage them to explore everything happening around it \u2014 including festivals, food, and live music throughout the city.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n