PennDOT officials are advising motorists to avoid the Parkway West inbound Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday, while workers make emergency repairs to a section of sagging ceiling in the Fort Pitt Tunnel.
PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said workers noticed a sag in the tunnel's suspended ceiling during routine maintenance Friday morning and closed one lane shortly after 10 a.m. to begin repairs.
One lane will remain open through 9 p.m. Friday, but Cowan said both lanes through the tunnel will be closed at 9 p.m. so workers can finish removing an 8x30 foot section of suspended ceiling. Officials anticipate the tunnel will reopen by 6 a.m. But Cowan said the artery could reopen earlier if work is finished.
“We are advising motorists to consider alternate routes. If you know another way to avoid the tunnels, you should consider it,” Cowan said, adding that significant traffic delays are anticipated throughout the day.
