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Inbound Fort Pitt Tunnel Closes For Overnight Repairs

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – PennDOT shut down the inbound Fort Pitt Tunnel at 9 p.m. Friday for emergency repairs.

The approach on the Parkway West was down to one lane for much of the afternoon and evening, causing a traffic jam nearly seven miles long.

KDKA's Kym Gable Reports:

"It's a horrible situation for motorists," PennDOT District 11 Executive Dan Cessna told KDKA's Kym Gable. "Typically, on a Friday afternoon, traffic is bad. Today, it is horrible."

The focus is on the suspended ceiling on the inbound side.

Support brackets are deteriorating, causing the ceiling to sag.

A 30-foot section is being removed.

Cessna described what the contractor would be doing.

KDKA's Marty Griffin Reports:

"As we remove the tunnel ceiling tonight, we'll actually investigate the cause to see what is occurring there and make sure we can prevent it at any other areas."

PennDOT has posted the following detours:

  • From eastbound (inbound) I-376 Parkway West, take Exit 69-C (West End) to northbound Route 51
  • Follow northbound Route 51 to Route 837 (Carson Street)
  • Bear right onto Route 837
  • Follow Route 837 to the ramp for eastbound I-376

Repairs are expected to be complete by 6 a.m. Saturday.

Stay with KDKA for the information.

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