PennDOT plan could fix traffic issues, reduce crashes on Parkway West near Fort Pitt Tunnel

PITTSBURGH — Big changes could be on the way for the Parkway West right outside of the Fort Pitt Tunnel.

The section of highway is the most heavily traveled corridor in western Pennsylvania, with 100,000 cars on it daily, leaving many sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic daily.

There’s usually a lot of congestion for drivers heading in and out of the city or getting on or off Route 51.

Some people who live and work in the area said they are having to take back roads to avoid the traffic.

“I always avoid going that way. I go down Greentree Road or the West End just because I hate getting stuck in the tunnel traffic,” said Emily Franco.

“There are too many cars. It’s like that every day,” said Chuck Moore.

PennDOT is proposing the 376 Banksville interchange improvement project to address safety and congestion concerns. There are renderings of what that plan will look like.

PennDOT plans to add more lanes, put in a new parkway inbound exit ramp for direct access to 51. It will merge with a new slip ramp off of Banksville Road. Some drivers said this is needed.

“Trying to get across all those lanes to get onto 51 or even back through, it seems like it’s a good idea,” said Franco.

The proposed project is expected to begin in 2026. PennDOT said this will also increase safety because crash rates are occurring in this area four times higher than the statewide average.

The project is expected to last two to three years.

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