Pittsburgh Braces for Phase 2 of NFL Draft Street Closures

North Shore roads near Acrisure Stadium to close to vehicles from April 13-21

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting the streets, traffic, and crowds of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in the team colors of black, gold, and white, conveying the sense of disruption and logistical complexity.The geometric chaos of street closures and crowds during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh reflects the logistical challenges facing local businesses and residents.Today in Pittsburgh

The city of Pittsburgh has announced the next phase of street closures in preparation for the 2026 NFL Draft. Starting on Monday, April 13th, several key roads on the North Shore near Acrisure Stadium will be shut down to vehicular traffic, posing challenges for local businesses and their employees trying to access the area.

Why it matters

The influx of NFL Draft fans and events is expected to bring a major boost in business for North Shore restaurants and bars. However, the extensive road closures will make it difficult for workers to commute to their jobs, potentially impacting operations and customer service during this lucrative period.

The details

The streets marked for closure in Phase 2 include North Shore Drive, Casino Drive, Tony Dorsett Drive, Dale Street, and Chuck Noll Way. Businesses like Tom's Watch Bar and Bar Louie will need to figure out how to get their employees to work on time with the limited access. When Phase 3 closures kick in during Draft week, public transportation is expected to be overwhelmed, further complicating the commute for workers and patrons.

  • Phase 2 street closures begin on Monday, April 13th.
  • The closures will extend through April 21st, the end of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

City of Pittsburgh

The local government entity responsible for coordinating the street closures and logistics around the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.

Tom's Watch Bar

A North Shore restaurant and bar that will be impacted by the upcoming street closures.

Bar Louie

Another North Shore restaurant and bar that will need to navigate the transportation challenges posed by the NFL Draft street closures.

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What they’re saying

“When Phase Three closures kick in during Draft week, I think since the sheer amount of volume of people that are on the North Shore, what's going to happen is all the public transportation is going to be full. So it's going to take a little bit more time. We're just trying to figure out exactly how our staff is going to be able to get down here, how the public is going to be able to get down here, like what's going to be open when it's going to close.”

— Unidentified North Shore business owner

What’s next

The city of Pittsburgh will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on any additional street closures or transportation plans as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.

The takeaway

The upcoming street closures around the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh highlight the delicate balance between hosting a major sporting event and supporting the local businesses and workers who will be impacted. Effective planning and communication will be crucial to ensuring the North Shore can capitalize on the influx of fans while minimizing disruptions.