More Pittsburgh Roads to Close Ahead of NFL Draft

Drivers advised to plan ahead as next phase of closures goes into effect on April 13

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:05pm

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With the NFL draft just two weeks away, the city of Pittsburgh is implementing the next phase of road closures on the North Shore to prepare for the influx of hundreds of thousands of visitors. Starting on April 13, several key roads including Art Rooney Avenue, West General Robinson Street, and Scotland Avenue will be closed until April 21, causing disruptions for local businesses and residents who will need to find alternate routes.

Why it matters

The road closures are a necessary step to accommodate the massive crowds and infrastructure build-out required to host the NFL draft, one of the biggest sporting events of the year. However, the closures will significantly impact traffic and access to businesses in the North Shore area, requiring residents and visitors to plan ahead and adapt their commuting routes.

The details

The next phase of road closures will go into effect on April 13 and include the closure of Art Rooney Avenue, West General Robinson Street, and Scotland Avenue. These closures will remain in place until April 21. Detour signs will be clearly marked to help drivers navigate around the affected areas. Some local businesses and attractions like the Kamin Science Center and Acrisure Stadium will also have limited availability during this time.

  • The next phase of road closures will begin on April 13, 2026.
  • The closures will remain in effect until April 21, 2026.

The players

Jared Bachar

President & CEO of Visit Pittsburgh, who stated that the city has worked hard to ensure businesses remain accessible during the road closures.

Jackie Fields

A North Side resident who said she plans to stay home as much as possible to avoid the disruptions caused by the road closures.

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What they’re saying

“We worked really hard to make sure all of the businesses from the casino to businesses on North Shore Drive and PNC Park are all still readily available.”

— Jared Bachar, President & CEO of Visit Pittsburgh

“I'm going to do my best not to go out of the house. I've been going the opposite direction and figuring out which way I have to go now.”

— Jackie Fields, North Side resident

What’s next

Looking beyond phase two, there are six total phases of road closures that'll happen from now until the draft.

The takeaway

The upcoming road closures in Pittsburgh's North Shore area are a necessary inconvenience to prepare the city for hosting the NFL draft, one of the biggest sporting events of the year. Residents and visitors will need to plan ahead and adjust their commuting routes to navigate the disruptions, which will also impact local businesses and attractions in the area.