With the Monongahela River's rise signaling a flood advisory, Pittsburgh's Mon Wharf has been shuttered for parking starting today. As reported by WPXI, the decision, a precautionary measure by the Public Parking Authority of Pittsburgh in response to the flood advisory for the Ohio River, indicates the river is expected to surpass the 18-inch action stage by evening.
As the roadway remains inundated, the inconvenience posed to Pittsburgh residents was revealed when PennDOT's assistant district executive for maintenance, Lori Musto, shared with UnionProgress that cleaning the recurrently flooded "bathtub" area took more of her time last year than her bathtub at home. This problem area, where the inbound Parkway East dips, creating a pool for excess water, has prompted PennDOT to set up a $34 million project aiming to hold back Monongahela's waters by raising flood walls to 5 feet and implementing a stronger pumping system, slated to begin after April next year.
With the wharf closed until it can shake off the waters that have claimed its expanse, alternate parking arrangements have been made available at Wood Allies, Third Avenue, and the First Avenue Garages. As per WTAE, these provisions come as little consolation to commuters now faced with the additional task of seeking out new places to station their vehicles in the downtown hustle.
