Construction Project Spotlight: I-579 Cap Urban Connector Project

The I-579 Cap Urban Connector Project (also known as the Cap Project) will consist of the construction of a new “cap” park structure spanning over a portion of I-579. The Cap Project is bounded by Washington Place, Centre Avenue, Chatham Street, Bigelow Boulevard and land to the north of Bigelow Boulevard.

HDR Engineering is the designer/engineer for this project. The City of Pittsburgh is holding the construction contract and the Sports and Exhibition Authority is coordinating with the City on the administration of the project. PennDOT is responsible for construction management and oversight, with sub-consultants supporting construction management and inspection. Upon completion, the City of Pittsburgh will own and maintain the Cap Park.

A Notice to Proceed for construction was issued on June 24, 2019. Construction completion is anticipated for November 2021. As of November 15, 2021, Governor Wolf and local, state, and federal officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the upcoming completion of the Cap Urban Connector project. For more information about the ribbon cutting event and the significance of this project, read PennDOT’s article from early December 2021.

Alternate Mobility Options

Important Note: Due to the pandemic’s ongoing impacts and operator shortages, some express routes have not yet returned to their regular schedule. Customers are required to wear masks when riding according to the Covid-19 guidelines of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

For more information on how bus and light rail service is being impacted and ways that the Port Authority is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, visit their Covid-19 response page here.

Real-time applications are also available, via Port Authority’s True Time, the Transit app, Moovit,Google maps, and much more, to simplify your commute and provide you with the information to plan your trip on a day-to-day basis. Visit your devices app store to explore and download various third party apps available.

Want to learn more about how to park and ride? Learn more about Port Authority’s regulations, safety and security, schedule information, and park and ride facilities locations across Allegheny County.

CommuteInfo – Vanpool & Carpool Program Options

In addition to commuting via Port Authority’s buses or light rail lines, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission offers a CommuteInfo Program, focused on providing residents in the 10-county region with customizable information on vanpool, carpool, biking, and transit options to match your needs.

Current Construction Notices

Northbound I-579 Ramp to 7th Avenue Set to Reopen A Week Early On Thursday Morning, July 29, After Being Closed for 700 Consecutive Days

PennDOT District 11 is announcing the reopening of the ramp that carries traffic from northbound I-579 to 7th Avenue in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County is anticipated to occur Thursday morning, July 29 weather permitting.

The ramp from northbound I-579 to 7th Avenue is expected to reopen to unobstructed traffic at approximately 8 a.m. Thursday morning. As part of the I-579 “Cap” Urban Connector project, the ramp was closed to traffic for nearly 700 consecutive days beginning on September 6, 2019. The ramp is reopening a week early.

The long-term closure was required for pier construction within the limits of the ramp to support the bridge cap structure. A total of four piers were constructed. The work included deep foundation work consisting of 42 caissons drilled to a depth of 35 feet, 42 new concrete columns which support four pier caps that range from 86 to 106 feet in length to support the 126 pre-stressed adjacent box beam bridge. Additional work performed during the long-term closure included the reconstruction of drainage and pavement structure on the ramp, installation of a new highway lighting system under the bridge, and the staging of equipment and material for access and work on the structure and park.

Remaining work on the project includes underdeck lighting installation, milling and paving operations, and installation of park items including sidewalks, artwork, and lighting. This work, and seeding and planting, will continue through November 2021. Restrictions on I-579, local roadways, and various ramps will continue through the remainder of the project.

Approximately 2,250 vehicles use the ramp each day. The $29.34 million project, sponsored by the City of Pittsburgh and the Sports and Exhibition Authority, consists of the construction of a structure spanning I-579 to link downtown Pittsburgh and the Hill District. In part, the Cap project will create a new three-acre greenspace which will include pedestrian pathways, bicycle routes, rain gardens for stormwater management, and design elements from neighborhood artists. Additional construction activities include retrofitting existing retaining walls and bridges to accommodate the new structure, roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, traffic signals, highway lighting, ITS, and landscaping. For additional details on the project including information on sustainability, funding, and public input please visit http://www.pgh-sea.com/ and select I-579 CAP from the navigation bar. The Joseph B. Fay Company is the prime contractor.

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For more information on the Cap Project

To learn about additional details on the project including information on sustainability, funding, and public input please visit the Pittsburgh Sports & Exhibition Authority’s project page and the I-579 Cap Tiger FY2016 Discretionary Grant Application webpage.

Interested in receiving regular weekly updates? Enroll in the email distribution list by sending Steve Cowan an email, at stcowan@pa.gov, with the subject line “Subscribe — I-579 Cap Project” and include your email address to be contacted at.

*Updates last made to page on 1/25/21*

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Project Press Releases

Current Press Release Information & Links

There are no new press release information or links available — check back later for more details!

Archived Press Release Information & Links

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 12/3/21: I-579 Overnight Lane Restrictions, Ramp Closures in Effect Between December 6-10

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 11/5/21: I-579 Daylight Ramp Closures Between November 8-10

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 10/4/21: I-579 Daylight Ramp Closures Between October 4-8

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 9/17/21: I-579 Daylight Ramp Closures in Effect September 20-24

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 9/3/21: I-579 Daylight Ramp Closures Between September 7-10

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 7/28/21: Northbound I-579 Ramp to 7th Avenue Set to Reopen on July 29

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 7/6/21: I-579 Overnight Ramp Closures Continue Week of July 6-9

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 6/25/21: I-579 Overnight Ramp Closures Continue Week of June 28

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 5/11/21: I-579 Daylight Ramp Closures Begin on Monday, May 10

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 5/4/21: I-579 Veterans Bridge Inspection Continue May 5-7

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 4/30/21: I-579 Overnight Ramp Closures Continue Week of May 3-7

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 4/23/21: I-579 Overnight Ramp Closures Continue April 26-29

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 4/21/21: I-579 Overnight Ramp Closures on Wednesday and Thursday Nights, April 21-22

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 4/16/21: Southbound I-579 Overnight Lane Restrictions Continue April 19-22

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 4/9/21: Southbound I-579 Overnight Lane Restrictions Continue April 12-15

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 4/2/21: I-579 Overnight Lane Restrictions, Ramp Closures April 5-9

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 3/26: I-579 Overnight Lane Restrictions Continue March 29-April 1

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 3/23/21: 7th Avenue Ramp to Bedford Avenue/Bigelow Boulevard Lane Restriction In Place On March 23

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 3/16/21: I-579 Intermittent Daylight Ramp Closures Begin March 17 and Will Extend Through March 26

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 3/12/21: Northbound I-579 Overnight Lane Restrictions Continue March 16-18

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 2/15/21: Northbound I-579 Overnight Lane Restrictions February 1-5

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 10/16/20: I-579 Ramp Closures on Monday in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 8/28/20: I-579 Overnight Ramp Closures Continue Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 8/21/20: I-579 Overnight Ramp Closures Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 8/14/20: I-579 Overnight Ramp Closures Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 8/12/20: I-579 Overnight Ramp Closures This Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 8/7/20: I-579 Overnight Lane Restrictions Continue Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 7/31/20: Southbound I-579 Overnight Lane Restrictions Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 7/30/20: Northbound I-579 Cap Overnight Lane Restriction Changed to Southbound this Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 7/24/20: Northbound I-579 Cap Overnight Lane Restrictions Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 7/17/20: Northbound I-579 Cap Overnight Lane Restrictions Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 7/10/20: Northbound I-579 Cap Overnight Lane Restrictions Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 7/2/20: I-579 Cap Overnight Work Continues This Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 7/2/20: I-579 Ramps to Reopen Friday Morning, 7/3, in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 6/26/20: I-579 Cap Overnight Lane Restrictions Continue This Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 6/19/20: Southbound I-579 Overnight Closures Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 6/18/20: Southbound I-579 Overnight Closure Friday Night in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release on 6/16/20: Southbound I-579 Lane Restriction Tonight in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release from 6/15/20: Northbound I-579 Lane Restriction Tonight in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release from 6/5/20: I-579 Overnight Closures Continue Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release from 5/29/20: I-579 Weekend Overnight Closure Time Changes Begin Tonight in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release from 5/26/20: Northbound I-579 Overnight Closures Begin Tonight in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release from 5/15/20: I-579 Cap Overnight Lane Restrictions Continue Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release from 5/8/20: I-579 Cap Overnight Lane Restrictions Continue Next Week in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release from 4/27/20: I-579 Cap Project Resumes Tuesday in Pittsburgh

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of March 9: Southbound I-579 Lane Restriction 3/14 – 3/15

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of December 27: I-579 Long-Term Ramp Closure Back in Effect

Post-Gazette Article Week of December 9: Two I-579 Ramps Near PPG Paints Arena Reopen Temporarily

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of October 28: I-579 Long-Term Ramp Closures Begin Monday, 11/4

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of October 21:
Northbound I-579 Overnight Restrictions Continue Week of 10/21

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of October 14: Northbound I-579 Lane Narrowing Begins Friday Night, 10/11

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of September 30: Northbound I-579 Improvements Continue this Week

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of September 23: Northbound I-579 Rolling Stoppages Underway

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of September 16: Southbound I-579 Stoppages Underway

PennDOT Press Release for Week of September 9: I-579 Improvements Continue 9/11-9/12

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of September 2: I-579 Overnight Closures Continue 9/3-9/6

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of September 2: Ramp from Northbound I-579 to 7th Avenue to Close Long-Term on 9/6

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of August 26: Multiple Closures & Detours Announced for 8/26-8/29

PennDOT Press Release In Effect between August 12-29: “Cap” Project Local Restrictions & Closures

City of Pittsburgh Press Release for Week of August 19: Chatham Street Nightly Closures

PennDOT District 11 Press Release for Week of August 19: Various Detours Posted for Overnight Improvements

PennDOT Press Release for Week of August 12: Overnight Improvements Causing I-579 Lane Closures

PennDOT Press Release for Week of August 5: Various Ramp Closures for Signage & Lighting Work

PennDOT District 11 Press Release from July 11: Announcement of Construction Beginning on 7/15

City of Pittsburgh Planning Commission Meeting on October 23, 2018: Final Land Development Plan Given Final Approval

City of Pittsburgh Planning Commission Meeting on December 5, 2017: Final Approval Given for the Design of Project

Public Meeting Held on June 27, 2016: Third Public Meeting Presenting the Preferred Park Layout

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