Gov Shapiro Reopens Interstate in 17 Days | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, PA - Yesterday, Governor Josh Shapiro, Lt. Governor Austin Davis, and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll visited the new Commercial Street Bridge in Allegheny County to announce the reopening of Parkway East, a full week ahead of schedule.

The $95 million project is one of the largest of its kind ever performed in Pennsylvania and took just 17 days to complete, a full week ahead of its planned reopening on August 3. To accomplish this replacement in such a short timeframe, PennDOT constructed the new Commercial Street Bridge next to the existing structure. Crews then demolished the old bridge and utilized Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques to slide the new structure into place.

The Commercial Street Bridge Replacement Project is located between the Edgewood/Swissvale (Exit 77) interchange and Squirrel Hill Tunnel in Swissvale Borough and the City of Pittsburgh. Approximately 100,000 vehicles a day travel on I-376 over Commercial Street, on average.

Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, 20,538 road miles have been improved statewide and work has advanced on 1,898 state and local bridges. Over the next two fiscal years, the Governor's 2026-27 enacted budget will drive out an additional $775 million for shovel-ready projects to repair state-owned roads across Pennsylvania.

Read what Pennsylvania's elected and labor leaders are saying about the Parkway's early reopening:

Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor: "The Shapiro Administration cares about Western Pennsylvania, and they don't just walk the walk; they talk the talk - and they do get stuff done and they get it done quickly… When we're talking about growing this region, we have to think boldly and we have to be aggressive. And that's what the Shapiro Administration has done for all of us, so on behalf of all the residents, all the hardworking men and women that got this done on time, especially in our building trades, and the overseers of this project - thank you."

Jim McNelis, CEO, S&B USA Construction: "Today is a very proud day for S&B USA Construction and the entire Pittsburgh community. The successful completion of the Commercial Street Bridge is a testament to what we can accomplish with innovation, partnership, and a commitment to excellence together. This project is an engineering and construction marvel… and represents the very best in what our teams can accomplish when we work together."

Jesse DiRenna, Business Manager, Operating Engineers Local 66: "Governor Shapiro and his entire administration know that investing in roads and bridges is the most powerful way to build a stronger future for everyone - these vital investments create safer roads for all, allow for efficient movement of goods and services, and drive major national investment to our state. Thank you, Governor, for your unwavering commitment to Western PA infrastructure, because when projects like this are funded, hundreds of good jobs are created immediately. For Local 66, that means family-sustaining wages and benefits for its members. It means they can pay their bills, put food on their table, and take care of their families… This project shows what can happen when PA invests in its infrastructure and its people."

Nick Burdette, Northeast Region Bridge Lead & Vice President, HDR Inc.: "Early in our design, the PennDOT team embraced a bold vision for this bridge replacement, to minimize parkway impacts by focusing seven years of preparation on one epic July 2026 interstate closure. It's this boldness that led to the incredible set of innovations we all saw these past two and a half weeks… And while incredible technologies help design and build this bridge, ultimately innovation is about people. This bridge was possible because the whole project team behind me and everyone here today focused their minds and hearts on this ambitious challenge."

Read what Western Pennsylvanians are saying about the Parkway's early reopening:

Paul Diegelman of Squirrel Hill: "I've never seen anything like it, the notion of building a bridge next to an existing bridge, blowing one up and sliding one over as quickly as they did it."

John Frentzos of Regent Square: "I think the whole process that they used to rebuild this bridge is unbelievable."

Abbey Sandeberg of Regent Square: "I actually was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was going to be gridlock everywhere. I was going to have to bike to work on the South Side, and I actually have been able to get there relatively quickly."

Here's what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching about the Parkway's early reopening:

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Parkway East and Commercial Street Bridge reopening Monday night after 17-day closure

Pittsburgh Business Times: Gov. Shapiro, Mayor O'Connor Celebrate Early Parkway East Reopening

Pittsburgh Tribune: Parkway East Reopens a Week Ahead of Schedule

KDKA: Parkway East's new Commercial Street Bridge to reopen around 8 p.m. today, officials say

WTAE: Parkway East Commercial Street Bridge reopens Monday evening, officials confirm

WESA: Gov. Shapiro Announces Early Parkway East Reopening, Credits Workers for Finishing Ahead of Schedule