PennDOT has announced that the Fort Pitt Tunnel, a vital artery for Pittsburgh commuters, will undergo a series of overnight inspections that will necessitate full closures on certain nights. The maintenance checks are scheduled to begin today, and the tunnel will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on select dates over the next two weeks, as detailed by WTAE.

According to WPXI, the eastbound (inbound) side of the tunnel will be shut down on the nights of November 3 and 7 and then again on November 13 and 14. The westbound (outbound) tunnel will be closed on the nights of November 4, 5, 6, and 12. During these periods, traffic will be rerouted via Route 837 (East Carson Street), through the West End Circle, and onto Route 51 (Saw Mill Run Boulevard).

This kind of inspection is part of ongoing infrastructure assessments designed to ensure the safety and reliability of the decades-old tunnel system. While a temporary inconvenience, the closures are integral to the preventative maintenance that keeps the tunnels in service. Drivers are advised to plan for extra travel time or find alternative routes on the nights of the inspections.