Downtown Pittsburgh is gearing up for an unusually congested Monday as two significant presidential campaign rallies are poised to bring crowds of supporters and an inevitable tangle of traffic. In anticipation, Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh have taken a preemptive measure, granting an early release for non-essential municipal workers.
In the interest of safety and smooth commuting, County Executive Innamorato and Mayor Gainey are calling on downtown businesses, locals, and visitors to minimize trips that aren't necessary, according to a statement on the City of Pittsburgh website. “With expected road closures and traffic for both rallies on Monday, we want County and City employees to be able to get home safely and with minimal disruption," they said. Additionally, they expressed a desire for those attending the rallies to act responsibly and anticipate a seamless Election Day following the enthusiasm on Tuesday.
Government employees are getting off work early today. At the same time, voters can drop off their ballots at the County Office Building until 4:30 pm. Other ballot return sites in Allegheny County will stay open until 7 pm. However, other county offices and courts will set their hours.
