Pittsburgh Marathon, Pitt commencement ceremonies to impact weekend traffic

Staffing shortages mean the extra Port Authority of Allegheny County service that Pittsburgh Marathon runners and spectators have enjoyed in the past might not be available this weekend as the races return for the first time in two years.

“In previous years, Port Authority has provided extra service to assist runners and spectators traveling to the marathon start line and to connect to detoured buses,” spokeswoman Melissa Rubin said in a statement. “Due to staffing and hiring challenges, unfortunately this extra service cannot be guaranteed.”

In previous years, Port Authority often increased light rail and other services to accommodate thousands of runners and spectators. This year those numbers are expected to be around 40,000 and 300,000, respectively.

“We encourage riders traveling to the marathon and related events prior to the start of regularly scheduled Sunday service to consider alternate transportation if necessary and to allow for additional travel time,” Rubin said.

For a full list of closures and details, visit portauthority.org/PghMarathon2022.

Marathon weekend will bring road closures and detours across the city. The Boulevard of the Allies between Wood and Stanwix streets closed at noon Friday.

University of Pittsburgh graduation events also are happening over the weekend.

On Saturday, a university-wide commencement ceremony for all undergraduate and graduate students from the class of 2020 begins at 4 p.m. at the Petersen Events Center.

The undergraduate class of 2022 ceremony is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Petersen Events Center.

Saturday

Closures will begin around 7:15 a.m. Saturday on the North Shore and through Downtown for the 5K, kids’ race and pet walk. The 5K course has been redesigned to allow for all North Shore lots to stay open. For Port Authority bus stops in Downtown, all buses will pick up and drop off on Smithfield Street between Sixth and Fifth avenues.

In Oakland, all Pitt-owned garages and parking lots will open at 8 a.m. and are free for graduates and guests.

Sunday

Closures along the half-marathon and full marathon routes begin at 1:30 a.m., and the city will start towing cars that haven’t moved from the streets at 11 p.m. Saturday. More than 100 streets will be affected, including the Boulevard of the Allies, West End Bridge, East Carson Street, the Birmingham Bridge, North Highland Avenue, and most streets Downtown and on the North Shore.

Port Authority buses in Downtown will drop off passengers at the East Busway’s Penn Station Stop B and pick up passengers at Stop C. The P1 and P2 will pick up and drop off at Penn Station Stop.

In addition, the 61-series buses will not be able to serve the Oakland area, and the 89-Garfield Commons won’t be in service until roads reopen. The Wabash Tunnel will be closed until noon.

Pitt’s undergraduate ceremony begins at 2 p.m., just as the marathon is wrapping up.

Forbes Avenue between Craft Avenue and Craig Street will be closed until 11:45 a.m. Sunday. Craig Street also will be closed during that time, and Fifth Avenue will be closed until noon.

University garages open at 8 a.m., and shuttles are available to get graduates and guests to the Petersen Events Center. For a schedule of shuttles, visit commencement.pitt.edu/shuttle-route-maps