As Pittsburgh gets closer to the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, more roads are closing and new routes are being detoured in preparation, giving commuter students even less of a reason to go to campus the week of the draft.
The goal of these road closures, which will only continue to increase building up to the draft, are meant to turn the North Shore and Downtown into areas where people can walk easier, organizers with the Pittsburgh Local Organizing Committee say.
Phase two of road closures, which started Monday, will continue until April 21. None of the closed roads are in Downtown – yet. That isn’t expected to start until the days of the draft and will end once celebrations commence.
Currently, the following roads in the North Shore and surrounding areas are closed: Art Rooney Avenue, West General Robinson Street (to Tony Dorsett Drive), Scotland Avenue, Casino Drive (from Sproat Way), North Shore Drive (to Chuck Noll Way, Reedsdale Street (to Tony Dorsett Drive), Chuck Noll Way, Tony Dorsett Drive, I-279 Southbound Exit 1B ramp to Reedsdale Street and the Reedsdale Underpass.
These closures, organizers say, are necessary to support infrastructure in and around the draft site while making the area around the celebration easy to walk around.
However, as visitPittsburgh, draft organizers and Pittsburgh Regional Transit have stated multiple times, alternatives to driving are plentiful to get to the celebration. Plus, those who commute and decide to venture onto campus while classes go online can still take the bus Downtown and leave, albeit with some restrictions.
“Hosting the NFL Draft is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Pittsburgh, and we’re committed to ensuring both residents and visitors can experience it with ease,” Jerad Bachar, President and CEO of visitPittsburgh, said. “By pairing thoughtful planning with free, accessible transit options, we’re making it simple for everyone to be part of this moment while keeping our city moving.”
While public transit options will still be available throughout as much of Downtown as possible, PRT says buses will be running on Saturday schedules instead of the usual weekday availability. If you plan to go Downtown during the draft or need to find a narrow escape plan from the festivities, plan your trip accordingly; or else you may wait longer than expected.
For those planning on visiting Downtown and the area of the draft from the suburbs or near the East Busway, options besides driving straight to the golden triangle are available. PRT will operate several special “football flyer” buses. These will run from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the draft, picking up from park-and-ride locations across the Pittsburgh area.
Plus, the “T” light-rail train, which normally costs the same as bus fare if you’re outside Downtown or the North Shore, will be completely free during the draft. Just keep in mind that Allegheny Station, the stop closest to Acrisure Stadium, will be closed during the festivities. Stopping at the North Side station is suggested instead.
Once the draft celebration commences, roads around the North Shore will stay closed until May 10.
