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Peduto Announces New Guidelines Ahead Of Jason Aldean Show

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – There's another big country music concert coming to Pittsburgh this weekend, but Mayor Bill Peduto is taking steps to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Last month, more than 50,000 people packed Heinz Field for a Luke Bryan concert.

"Pittsburgh Police issued 37 non-traffic citations (20 for scalping; 10 for public urination; six for disorderly conduct; and one for public intoxication); made at least seven arrests; broke up 15 fights and answered 154 calls to 911. City medics responded to 100 calls to 311 and made 34 transports to hospitals," Peduto said in a statement at the time.

ALCO Parking took care of the parking inside of their lots. However, the city picked up the tab for cleaning the streets and the waterfront.

Now, the city has been working with the Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of Saturday night's Jason Aldean concert at PNC Park.

"The city of Pittsburgh stands ready to welcome the more than 38,000 fans coming here to enjoy a good time on the North Shore Saturday, but has put plans in place to make sure all fans are safe and respectful at the same time," Peduto said in a statement.

If you are attending the show, there are some new guidelines to keep in mind.

Parking Lots

  • The parking lots will open at 2 p.m.
  • All vehicles in the designated lots will be given trash and recycling bags.
  • ALCO is providing 200 port-o-johns
  • No tailgating will be allowed in the parking lots once the first act takes the stage.
  • Anyone without a ticket to the show will be asked to vacate the parking lots.

"So, lots last time opened at 11 a.m. This time, they will open at 2 p.m. That's three-and-a-half hours before the gates open," said Peduto. "Five hours before the concert starts."

And don't think of coming in early. You won't be allowed to line up on the streets early, says the mayor, or tailgate nearby.

"Anyone that decides to come in earlier to use the neighborhoods as a tailgating area, the laws will be enforced, meaning open container laws will be enforced, so it will not be advisable to look for other areas to begin earlier tailgating," Peduto says.

ALCO crews will also begin cleaning up the lots at 7 p.m.

Road Closures

  • The outbound lanes of the Liberty Tunnel will be closed around the clock through Monday.
  • The inbound lanes of the Liberty Tunnel will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Aug. 8.
  • There will be single lane overnight closures for both the inbound and outbound Squirrel Hill Tunnel from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Peduto rejects the notion that the problem is unique to country music fans, saying the city for too long has tolerated bad tailgating behavior.

"We want country music concerts to come to Pittsburgh. We want a lot of concerts to come to Pittsburgh, but we want people to behave in a responsible manner, and we're going to work with the promoters to insure that the experience is enjoyable for everyone," he added.

For more information about the new guidelines that will be in effect, view the entire press release here.

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