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Pittsburgh’s 109th Christmas tree delivery will cause weekend traffic disruptions

City of Pittsburgh Christmas Tree installed in front of City-County building FILE PHOTO: 108th City of Pittsburgh Christmas Tree installed in front of City-County building (WPXI/WPXI)

PITTSBURGH — Traffic will be disrupted in Downtown Pittsburgh over the weekend as crews transport and install the city’s 109th Christmas tree at the City-County Building.

The 40-foot blue spruce has to travel from the Guardian Angels Catholic Parish of Natrona Heights, Springdale Campus, to the City-County Building.

In order for that to happen, the city will close Grant Street between Third Avenue and Fifth Avenue from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 for transportation and installation. Drivers should also expect temporary delays and rolling closures from 7:30-9:30 a.m. while the tree is escorted Downtown. The following roads are subject to rolling closures:

  • James Street toward Pittsburgh Street in Springdale
  • Pillow Avenue to Hite Road in Cheswick
  • PA-28 S to I-279 and the Fort Duquesne Bridge
  • Fort Pitt Boulevard to Grant Street.

On Sunday, Nov. 17, the northbound lane of Grant Street closest to the City-County Building will close from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. so crews can finish decorating the tree.

While the tree will be decorated upon arrival at the City-County Building, the lighting festivities will not take place for a couple more weeks. The annual City of Pittsburgh Christmas Tree Lighting will take place during Light Up Night on Nov. 23. The tree will be lit at 5 p.m. during the annual festivities and will feature rooftop fireworks and followed by a musically timed light show at 5:15 p.m.

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