The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is proud to announce the approval of the 2027–2030 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) effective October 1, 2026. This document, which was approved unanimously by Commission members at today’s meeting, will direct $4.7 billion in infrastructure investment across the 10-county region.

The 2027-2030 TIP continues the implementation of the vision, goals, and strategies identified in SPC’s Long Range Plan. The plan invests $2.0 billion in highways and bridges and $2.7 billion in public transit between 2027 and 2030, addressing infrastructure condition, safety, and congestion across the region. This plan marks a shift toward proactive asset preservation, prioritizing investment in infrastructure rather than waiting for deterioration to demand costlier intervention. 

On the transit side, funding will support bus and rail maintenance, station upgrades, and the purchase of more than 450 new buses and shared-ride vehicles. On the highway and bridge side, nearly half of the budget is directed toward replacing or repairing poor-condition bridges, an effort projected to reduce the region’s poor-bridge count by more than 13%.

The plan also allocates more than $750 million to projects near regional freight facilities, acknowledging the critical role that logistics and goods movement play in sustaining the Southwestern PA economy. Additional investment will fund signal upgrades and Intelligent Transportation System communications to improve day-to-day traffic flow, as well as landslide remediation and flood mitigation to protect infrastructure from severe weather.

The 2027-2030 TIP reflects regional data, community feedback, and public input gathered during the comment period, including open houses held in every county SPC serves. It is available for online viewing at https://www.spcregion.org/programs-services/transportation/smartmoves-long-range-plan-transportation-improvement-program/.

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The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, more commonly known as SPC, is the cooperative forum for regional collaboration, planning, and public decision-making for the ten counties of Southwestern Pennsylvania including the City of Pittsburgh. SPC develops plans and programs for public investment and fulfills federal and state requirements for transportation, economic development, and local government assistance programs.

New appointments and changes in leadership have been made by Trinity Metro, Luminator, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) and STV.

The SPC has appointed Lillian Gabreski to serve as its director of transportation. She will lead a department of 13 staff members and oversee transportation initiatives on behalf of the 10-county region. 

Gabreski has established a background in strategic planning and transportation, as well as securing state and federal grants. She joined the organization in 2018 and has become known by both staff members and external partners for taking innovative approaches to solving complex challenges.  

“I am excited to have Lillian officially join our leadership team,” said SPC Executive Director Rich Fitzgerald. “She has been with the organization for over six years and in that time, has demonstrated her steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life for area residents. Lillian’s leadership style, expertise in transportation and proven experience in securing grants for our region made her a natural choice for this position. She will hit the ground running and continue with SPC’s mission of planning for the continued success of Southwestern Pennsylvania.” 

As director of transportation, Gabreski will direct the development of the organization’s required program documents like the region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Both the TIP and LRTP plan for specific transportation and infrastructure projects across the 10-county region. Additionally, Gabreski will supervise all of the department’s programs including multimodal transportation planning, operations and safety, transportation demand management, a vanpool program, active transportation initiatives like trails and other initiatives. 

During her time at SPC, Gabreski has served in a variety of roles. More recently, she has served as the manager of sponsored program development and led the organization’s development of competitive grant funding applications for local, state and federal discretionary programs. She played an instrumental part in developing the application which SPC, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pittsburgh Regional Transit submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure the $142 million grant for the Eastern Pittsburgh Multimodal Corridor project. Additionally, she has guided the organization’s efforts on equity to ensure that programs adhere to the federal environmental justice requirements and Justice40 guidance. 

Gabreski earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Penn State University’s Schreyer Honors College and a master of public administration with a concentration in economic and financial policy from Cornell University. She officially assumed the role on Oct. 24.

View the full story at masstransitmag.com.

In recognition of
his outstanding service to TRB and advancement of innovations in public
transportation partnerships, Vincent Valdes is the 2021 recipient of the W.N.
Carey, Jr., Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Valdes is the is the Executive
Director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), the designated
Metropolitan Planning Organization for a ten-county region including the City
of Pittsburgh, where he leads a
team of planners, program managers, transportation specialists and engineers
working to create a common regional vision and transportation implementation
program for the communities of southwestern Pennsylvania.  The Carey Award—named in honor of W.N. Carey,
Jr., TRB’s Executive Director from 1967 to 1980—recognizes individuals who have
given leadership and distinguished service to TRB.

The award will be presented on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, during the Chair’s Plenary Session portion of the TRB Annual Meeting, January 9-13, 2022, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Valdes has
been engaged with TRB for more than 20 years. 
During that period, he has been a constant fixture and participant at
TRB’s Annual Meeting. As the Associate Administrator for the Office of
Research, Demonstration and Innovation with the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) from 2008 to 2020, he was an invited presenter at every TRB Annual
Meeting as well as numerous specialty conferences. As FTA’s liaison on the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)
Oversight and Project Selection Committee and on the American Association of
State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Committee on Research and
Innovation, he helped to program hundreds of TCRP and National Cooperative
Highway Research Program (NCHRP) projects. In addition to his roles with TCRP
and NCHRP programs, he is a strong advocate for TRB’s Technical Activities
Division as a premier source of ideas, knowledge, and information exchange; and
its role on attracting and mentoring the next generation of transportation
professionals.

During his time as FTA’s Associate
Administrator, he advanced innovative public transportation partnerships,
especially public-private partnerships. In January 2020, before he left FTA,
his office announced the Integrated Mobility Innovation Program, a competitive
program that will encourage agencies to initiate service such as Mobility as a
Service and integration of private providers with more traditional public
transportation services. A previous successful initiative was the Mobility on
Demand Sandbox, which like the Integrated Mobility Initiative, encouraged
agencies to experiment, especially with last mile solutions. Prior to that, he
led the development of the Rides to Wellness initiative, which tackled the role
of transportation in providing health care, especially to seniors, low-income
people, and those with disabilities.

In addition to serving in previous
roles with the FTA, Valdes was a lead planner with the District of Columbia
Office of Planning, and worked for organizations including Inter-American
Foundation, The World Bank, ICF Incorporated, and General Dynamics, Northrop,
and Pratt & Whitney.

Mr. Valdes holds a master’s degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Boston University.

–XXX—

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is the region’s forum for collaboration, planning and public decision-making. As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the ten-county region including the City of Pittsburgh and the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland, SPC is responsible for planning and prioritizing the use of state and federal transportation funds allocated to the region. As the Local Development District (LDD) and Economic Development District for Southwestern Pennsylvania (as designated by the U.S. Appalachian Regional Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce), SPC establishes regional economic development priorities and provides a wide range of public services to the region.

What is CommuteInfo?

CommuteInfo is SPC’s program offering transportation solutions to alleviate stress, and even save you time and money. From navigating a transit system to finding and joining a carpool or vanpool, CommuteInfo can help you own your commute.

Featured Commuter Option: Vanpooling!

There’s a Vanpool waiting for you. Click to learn more!

Download the CommuteInfo app today!

Own Your Commute!

Registering with CommuteInfo is free and easy. You can record your trips to see your savings, track your impact, and even qualify for special rewards.

CommuteInfo Registration

Join CommuteInfo today! It’s free and easy to do!

CommuteInfo offers several ride sharing solutions to alleviate the stressors associated with your daily commute.

Emergency Ride Home

Sometimes meetings run late, and you can’t always follow someone else’s schedule. If you need a ride home, we’ve got you covered with our Emergency Ride Home benefit. Just arrange your ride, keep the receipt, and we’ll reimburse you.

To qualify, you must be registered with CommuteInfo and use a vanpool or carpool on the day you need the ride. Check our Program Guidelines to make sure you’re eligible. Submit your receipt with a refund application to CommuteInfo within 30 days to get reimbursed.

You can get reimbursed for up to 4 trips each year, or up to $100. Every January, the 4 trips or $100 limit will reset

ERH Resources

• Emergency Ride Home Explainer Video
• Refund Application (PDF)

Additional Commuter Resources

• Driver Safety Training Information (external links open in new tab)

  • PA Dept of Education (opens in new tab)
  • AARP (opens in new tab)
  • Seniors for Safe Driving

• Driver Safety Training Reimbursement Application
• Ridesharing Arrangements Act information (opens in new tab)
• Commuter Choice Info
• Expanded Ridesharing FAQs (opens in new tab)

Offer your employees a stress-free way into work!

CommuteInfo can help your organization to offer effective commuting options to your employees.

Employer Initiatives

Employers can benefit from CommuteInfo’s ride matching tools, employee outreach, and vanpooling/carpooling coordination services. By offering these services to your employees, you can boost your company’s sustainability, recruitment, and employee benefits.

Request a Speaker

Has an employee or job-seeker missed an appointment or interview because of transportation issues? CommuteInfo can help with a free employer transportation consultation, employee lunch and learns, tabling at benefits fairs, etc. Email us for more information!

Welcome to the SPC Park-N-Ride Locator!

Public transportation schedules can change, sometimes even same-day. Contact your provider listed below about the Park-N-Ride lot you’re interested in to confirm service availability.

(links below open in new tab)

Commute Cost Calculator

Find out how much you could be saving with our Commute Cost Calculator!

* American Automobile Association’s 2026 Your Driving Cost, average cost estimate ($.772 per mile, which includes fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, license and registration fees, taxes, depreciation, and finance charges.)

We’d love to hear from you!

Send us an email at commuteinfo@spcregion.org.

In Southwestern Pennsylvania, we’re standing on the edge of a transformative decade for transportation. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is more than just a planning body. We are a collective force uniting 10 counties — Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland — and the City of Pittsburgh, all with a shared mission of improving connectivity, fostering economic growth and building a resilient future for all residents. Our work today will help set the foundation for a transportation system that truly meets the needs of our communities as we move through the challenges and opportunities of the next decade.

Our region’s needs are diverse and evolving. From bustling urban centers to remote rural areas, each community we serve has unique needs. That’s why our approach prioritizes a transportation network that offers reliable, safe and efficient access to work, school, health care and recreation for all Southwestern Pennsylvanians. By balancing investments in traditional infrastructure — such as roads, bridges and public transit systems — with innovative approaches to mobility, we can build a future-ready network that keeps our communities and economy moving forward.

As we look ahead, our vision extends beyond just moving people. We see a future where transportation planning and economic development go hand in hand, supporting job creation, attracting new businesses and enhancing the quality of life across our region. A robust transportation system not only boosts the economy by connecting workers to jobs and goods to markets, but also creates opportunities in areas where growth has historically been limited. Our efforts are focused on bridging these gaps, ensuring that communities across Southwestern Pennsylvania can benefit from increased accessibility and economic resilience.

Our Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), Smart Moves for a Changing Region, serves as a roadmap for the next 25 years, articulating a clear vision that ties transportation improvements to economic development and quality of life goals. With this plan, we outline key investments in infrastructure, prioritizing projects that enhance connectivity, improve safety and support sustainable growth.

We are committed to integrating innovations like expanded public transit options, electric vehicle infrastructure and modernized traffic management systems — all designed to reduce congestion, minimize environmental impact and strengthen the region’s appeal to businesses and residents alike.

The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is the actionable component of our long-range vision, translating priorities from our LRTP into reality through a four-year investment plan. The TIP allocates funding for specific projects, from road and bridge maintenance to transit expansions and bike-friendly pathways. By focusing on high-impact, shovel-ready projects, we can address the pressing infrastructure needs of today while laying the groundwork for a robust, future-ready transportation system. With close collaboration between local governments and community organizations, the TIP ensures that our investments directly benefit the people and businesses of Southwestern Pennsylvania, creating immediate value while building a foundation for the future.

At SPC, we envision a Southwestern Pennsylvania where transportation serves as a bridge to a brighter future for everyone. In collaboration with local governments, businesses and communities, we’re shaping a network that not only meets today’s needs, but anticipates tomorrow’s challenges. Over the next 10 years, we are committed to building a transportation system that reflects the strength, diversity and resilience of our region—making it a place where all can thrive. Together, we will pave the way toward a sustainable, prosperous and connected future for Southwestern Pennsylvania.

View the full story at nextpittsburgh.com.

Greene County Commissioner McClure will serve as Vice-Chair; Indiana County Commissioner Dunlap is new Secretary-Treasurer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2025

PITTSBURGH, Pa – Earlier today, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), the federally-designated regional commission for transportation and economic development, elected Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites as its new Chairman for calendar years 2026 and 2027. Commissioner Betsy McClure of Greene County was elected Vice-Chair, and Commissioner Bonni Dunlap of Indiana County was elected as its Secretary-Treasurer. Vicites replaces outgoing Chairman Commissioner Pat Fabian of Armstrong County, whose term expires at the end of the year. 

As Chairman, Commissioner Vicites will lead the United States Department of Transportation (DOT)’s designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the ten counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania and the City of Pittsburgh – responsible for oversight, planning, and programming of nearly $40 Billion in transportation funds through 2050. SPC is also the region’s Local Development District and Economic Development District, both of which facilitate access to funding and technical support related to economic and workforce development.

“I am honored to represent the region and my fellow county and city leaders as the new Chairman of SPC,” Vicites said. “SPC is the only place where all of us come together to plan for our region’s success, and I’m excited to continue the forward momentum Southwestern Pennsylvania has experienced over the past few years.”

Vicites’ priorities as Chairman include preserving and expanding the region’s transportation infrastructure, securing additional federal and state investment in the region, and ensuring the region is prepared to welcome new business, including in emerging markets like Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

At Monday’s meeting, the Commission also named two new members to its Executive Committee: Commissioner Tony Amadio of Beaver County and Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor of the City of Pittsburgh.

Contact: DJ Ryan
412-478-1928 
DJRyan@spcregion.org

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Notes To Editor: The official biographies for all three officers are appended below.

Commission Officer Bios

Vince Vicites, Chairman (Fayette County)

Commissioner Vince Vicites is the Chairman-elect of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. Chairman-elect Vicites will take office on January 1st, 2026. He previously served two years as the Vice-Chair and two years as Secretary-Treasurer. He is a Fayette County Commissioner and currently serves as the County’s Vice-Chair.

Born and raised in Uniontown, Vince is a graduate of Laurel Highlands High School. He graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He continued his education and earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources from St. Francis University.

Commissioner Vicites’ extensive background in county government spans nearly 30 years. As former Fayette County Recycling Coordinator, he started the Hard to Recycle Events at Fayette County Fairgrounds that have continued for over 30 years. By lobbying State and Federal Employees, Vince was instrumental in creating or retaining over 10,000 jobs during his tenure in office and helped secure $200 million in economic and infrastructure projects. He has been involved with many business and government organizations at the city, county and state level. He continues to work to make Fayette County better now and for future generations.

Commissioner Vicites is a member of St. Therese Church in Uniontown and is a member of many civic and community organizations. He resides in South Union with his wife Kelly. His son Nick, son Joey, and his wife Arial reside in Uniontown.

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Betsy McClure, Vice-Chair (Greene County)

Commissioner Betsy McClure is the Vice-Chair-elect of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. She will assume office January 1st, 2026. Vice-Chair-elect McClure previously served two years as SPC’s Secretary-Treasurer. She has served as a Greene County Commissioner for six years and is a lifelong resident of Greene County.

A Registered Nurse by profession, Commissioner McClure has dedicated more than 25 years to the nursing field. She earned her BSN from Waynesburg University and her master’s in education from California University of Pennsylvania

Her goal as County Commissioner is straightforward: to make Greene County a better place to live for all residents. She maintains an open-door policy and firmly believes that if something is important to you, it is important to her. She strives every day to work for the people she represents.

Commissioner McClure serves on the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) Board of Directors and is the Chair of CCAP’s Human Services Committee. In addition, she is a member of the Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission.

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Bonni Dunlap, Secretary-Treasurer (Indiana County)

Dr. Bonni Dunlap is the Secretary-Treasurer-elect of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission and will take office January 1st, 2026. A County Commissioner representing Indiana County, she brings over 35 years of experience in county government to her position at SPC.

Commissioner Dunlap has spent her entire career in service to the residents of Indiana County. She most notably served as the longtime Director of Human Services for the County, where she facilitated numerous programs to better serve some of Indiana County’s most vulnerable populations. She also served as the Director of the Indiana County Housing Authority, where she was responsible for the administration of public housing in the County and coordinated housing for hundreds of local families.

A noted expert in human services, Commissioner Dunlap holds a Ph.D and Master’s Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has served on the faculty at IUP and Westmoreland County Community College. She also serves on several boards and organizations in her home county. As a former Indiana County Auditor, she recognizes the importance of responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. She is excited to serve as an officer of SPC and to work with her fellow county leaders and SPC staff to facilitate continued growth for the region.

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About Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission:
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, more commonly known as SPC, is the cooperative forum for regional collaboration, planning, and public decision-making for the ten counties of Southwestern Pennsylvania including the City of Pittsburgh. SPC develops plans and programs for public investment and fulfills federal and state requirements for transportation, economic development, and local government assistance programs.

PRESS RELEASE DOWNLOAD (PDF)

Fayette County Commissioner Vice Chairman Vincent A. Vicites was elected vice chairman of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission for a two-year term.

With more than 60 members, including an executive committee, the SPC is a forum for regional collaboration, planning and public decision-making; focused on transportation, development, information systems and more.

Vicites has been part of the SPC for more than 17 years, and a member of its executive committee for more than a decade. He most recently served as secretary/treasurer of SPC from 2022 until becoming vice chairman this week.

“It’s a great honor to be selected by my fellow county commissioners in the 10-county region and the City of Pittsburgh to continue to serve in the leadership of a metropolitan planning organization,” Vicites said. “We’ve accomplished many projects and reached major milestones in my time with SPC, and I look forward to continuing that momentum.”

During his tenure, Vicites has worked to secure funding for a number of local projects, including $60 million for the new Masontown Bridge Construction in 2010, with discretionary money from the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation.

“I was also able to convince my commissioner colleagues to advance the Mon-Fayette Expressway project to completion in Pittsburgh, after it had been tabled at a prior SPC meeting in 2017,” Vicites said. “That project is paramount to continued success in not only Fayette County, but the entire region.”

The commission operates with public involvement and trust to develop plans and programs for public investments; and fulfill federal and state requirements for transportation, economic development and local government assistance programs.

As the region’s official metropolitan planning organization, SPC directs the use of state and federal transportation and economic development funds allocated to the region – about $35 billion through 2045. In addition to Fayette County, the commission includes the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Green, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Vicites said he hopes his second-in-command office will allow him to better position Fayette County for growth and opportunities.

“I’m most looking forward to continuing my work on our ongoing transportation and infrastructure projects,” Vicites said. “In this role, I can ensure Fayette County gets its fair share of the funding, in order to maximize our local development.”

To learn more about the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, visit www.spcregion.org.

View the full article at dailycourier.com.

Pittsburgh, PA—The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s (SPC) Board of Directors has named Rich Fitzgerald as the organization’s new Executive Director. Fitzgerald will officially assume this role on Jan. 2, 2024 once his tenure as Allegheny County Executive concludes. As the federally certified metropolitan planning organization (MPO) and local development district (LDD) serving 10 counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania, SPC plans for the continued growth of the region.

“Thank you to the SPC and its board for this opportunity and thank you to Vince for his work to energize and elevate the organization during his tenure,” said Rich Fitzgerald, SPC’s incoming Executive Director. “While I’ve always had a regional focus, I look forward to putting my skills and relationships to work for all 10 of our counties. Together, we will continue to concentrate on infrastructure, communication, economic development, workforce and quality of life issues for our region.”

As the incoming executive director, Fitzgerald will lead a team of 50 staff members. The organization has seven departments which include: economic and workforce development; transportation planning; strategic initiatives and policy; information and data; finance; human resources; and communications and public relations. It acts as a cooperative forum for collaboration, planning, and decision-making. The organization’s staff members develop public investment plans and programs, and ensure that federal and state transportation requirements are being met.

“The Board is grateful to Vincent Valdes for positioning SPC to be the region’s leading agent of support to local governments for transportation, broadband, and economic development,” said Leslie Osche, SPC’s Board Chair and Butler County Commissioner. “He laid the groundwork for Mr. Fitzgerald to carry the Commission and our region to the next level. We are excited about the future of our region under Rich’s leadership.”

Fitzgerald will bring many years of executive leadership experience to SPC. Prior to serving as Allegheny County’s Chief Executive, Fitzgerald was a County Council member for 11 years, including being elected four times as Council President. He has served as Allegheny County Executive since 2012. During his tenure as County Executive, Fitzgerald was focused on growing and diversifying the economy, retaining and attracting younger workers, investing in transportation and infrastructure, and improving the county’s public services.

Before entering public service, Fitzgerald spent many years in the private sector. He founded and ran his own business, a water treatment services and equipment company. He grew up in Pittsburgh’s Bloomfield-Garfield neighborhood before attending Carnegie Mellon University. There, he earned a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in business. He and his wife live in Squirrel Hill and are the proud parents of eight adult children.

“The Board had several objectives when we launched the search process: to attract a candidate that intrinsically understood this region’s unique needs and characteristics, had a track record of leadership and growth cultivation, and would build upon the current strength, talent, and consistency of the SPC staff,” said Osche. “We interviewed a diverse group of candidates from the region and beyond. Rich Fitzgerald certainly exceeded the Board’s robust qualifications and competencies.”

The Board of Directors will officially welcome Rich Fitzgerald as SPC’s new Executive Director at the organization’s next Commission meetings on Dec.11. The organization’s current Executive Director, Vincent Valdes, will retire at the end of this year.

Media Inquiries: Caitlin O’Connor
Cell: 412-719-5366
coconnor@spcregion.org

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About Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission:
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) and local development district (LDD) serving Southwestern Pennsylvania. The organization’s coverage area includes Allegheny including the City of Pittsburgh, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties. It is responsible for planning and prioritizing the use of state and federal transportation funding and establishing economic development priorities for the region.

Press Release Download (PDF)

By Mason Fish
SPC
3/31/2026

We are now less than 25 days away from the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place in Pittsburgh from April 24 to 26, and with hundreds of thousands of fans expected to descend on the city, getting there smartly could be just as important as getting there at all.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) has played an important role in helping shape the regional transportation plan for this year’s draft. As the designated metropolitan planning organization for the region, SPC has worked alongside partner organizations to coordinate a comprehensive approach to moving fans safely throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding region.  

A key part of that effort was ensuring that fans from outside of Allegheny County had real options for getting into Pittsburgh efficiently. 10 regional transit agencies across southwestern Pennsylvania will provide expanded and connected service during draft week, with express routes, extended hours and connections to park and ride locations that link directly into Pittsburgh’s transit system. 

The draft’s footprint spans two main areas: Point State Park on the Downtown side of the Allegheny River, and the North Shore near Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) and city officials have developed a comprehensive transportation plan to facilitate safe and efficient movement between the two sites, and in many cases, for free.  

Sheetz has partnered with PRT to make light rail and the Monongahela Incline completely free from April 23 through 25. The free-fare initiative covers all travel on the Red, Blue, and Silver lines with no tickets, transit cards or apps required to board. Fans can use the Gateway, Wood Street, Steel Plaza or First Avenue stations for rides to North Side Station. Riders should note that Allegheny Station will be closed April 22 through 25 and should plan to use North Side Station instead.  

Those looking for a more scenic option can walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge, which will be closed to vehicles and open exclusively to pedestrians as a dedicated gateway between the two draft sites. For a unique and distinctly Pittsburgh experience, the Gateway Clipper Fleet will also run shuttle boats throughout the weekend, connecting Point State Park to the Acrisure Stadium Quay, and more running between Station Square and PNC Park. 

For fans coming from outside the city or looking for a broader picture of their transit options, SPC Transit Staff has put together an interactive transportation planning map specifically built around the draft. The map, accessible at platform.remix.com, displays all active transit lines serving the greater Pittsburgh area during draft weekend, including bus routes, light rail lines, the inclines, and park and ride locations throughout the region. 

Using the map is straightforward. Visitors can toggle different transit lines and data layers on and off to focus on the routes most relevant to where they are coming from. A park and ride layer is also available, making it easy to identify the nearest lot, plan a route into the city, and avoid the congestion and parking challenges that come with any major downtown event. 

Regardless of where you’re coming from, the map offers a clear starting point for building your game plan before draft weekend arrives. It’s definitely worth taking a look at for those interested in maximizing efficiency. 

Additionally, city and transit officials are strongly recommending against fans driving into the city altogether during draft weekend. However, for those who must drive, the ParkPGH app allows users to track real-time parking availability. Carpooling is also encouraged to help reduce congestion in the Golden Triangle. Parking restrictions will be strictly enforced throughout the weekend, and vehicles in restricted areas may be ticketed or towed. 

Significant road closures will be in effect across Downtown and the North Shore in multiple phases. The most widespread closures run April 22 through 25 and include Federal Street, the 6th and 7th Street bridges, Penn Avenue from Stanwix Street to 9th Street, Liberty Avenue and several highway ramps into and out of the area. 

Road closure updates will be shared in advance of each phase and posted on the NFL OnePass app and pittsburghpa.gov, and PRT’s full transit guide for the draft can be found at rideprt.org/2026-draft/draft. 

Beyond the logistics, there is plenty to look forward to once fans arrive. Free public events at Point State Park and the North Shore include interactive fan experiences, a Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit, food from local Pittsburgh restaurants, and live music. Fans are also invited to watch Round 1 on Thursday and Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday from the field at Acrisure Stadium. Draft picks begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, 7 p.m. Friday, and noon Saturday. Doors will officially open at noon on Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday. 

However you plan to get there, officials agree on one thing: the earlier you plan, the better your weekend experience will be. 

Reconstruction and intersection changes on Route 30 are among more than $1.1 billion in long-term highway projects proposed in a 25-year transportation plan for Westmoreland County.

The reconstruction of Route 30 would occur between Leger Road in North Huntingdon and the Irwin borough limits, and improvement is planned for two intersections in Hempfield — at Donohoe and Georges Station roads.

Rachel Duda, PennDOT District 12’s assistant district executive for design, said the state transportation department has yet to begin study of the proposed project at Georges Station Road, which she said Westmoreland planners suggested for consideration.

Without a left-turn signal or lane, traffic headed south on Georges Station often is backed up behind motorists waiting to turn left onto eastbound Route 30.

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) planners have estimated in the draft version of its SmartMoves Long Range Transportation Plan that it could cost $29.5 million to improve that intersection.

“We need to do a little more work there to figure out what can be done,” said Angela Saunders, transportation planning manager for PennDOT District 12. “Because it is a very tight intersection, there may not be a lot of options. But we’re going to see what we can do.”

The SPC estimates it could cost $92.6 million to reconstruct the North Huntingdon stretch of Route 30 and $30 million to make roadway improvements at the Donohoe Road intersection with Route 30.

Duda said PennDOT is looking into another Hempfield project, at the intersection of Donohoe and Georges Station roads, that might be easier and quicker to achieve than the nearby Georges Station/Route 30 improvement. The crossroads on Donohoe, currently controlled by four-way stop signs, also is subject to traffic backups at peak hours.

Duda said preliminary engineering is underway for three options there: a traffic signal, a roundabout placed directly at the crossroads or a roundabout shifted toward one of the corners.

“That has not been decided yet,” she said. “Whenever we have an intersection project, we always start with a roundabout in mind because they’re most efficient and they’re safer. You never have someone turning left in front of you, so you eliminate angle crashes.”

$1.1 billion eyed for work

The SPC is proposing projects in Westmoreland County with a total value of $1.1 billion as part of its 10-county long-range transportation plan, which looks forward through 2050. Domenic D’Andrea, SPC’s director of transportation planning, said another $1.3 billion in spending can be allocated over those years among projects across PennDOT District 12, which includes Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington and Greene counties.

Since a previous long-range transportation plan was completed in 2019, D’Andrea said, the covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on transportation, along with other sectors of society. But additional federal and state funding has allowed the SPC and PennDOT to advance several Westmoreland projects to the current Transportation Improvement Plan of work scheduled through 2026.

Those include the second and third segments of the three-phase Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project, which is meant to improve alignments and intersections along the Route 981 corridor between Mt. Pleasant and Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Unity.

September 2023 is the target date for completing the first project section, currently under construction, between Route 819 and Norvelt in Mt. Pleasant Township. Saunders said bids are expected to be let in October for the northern section of the project, between Pleasant Unity and the airport, and in October 2025 for the middle section, between Norvelt and Pleasant Unity.

All three Laurel Valley project sections represent an investment of more than $200 million, she said.

Other pending projects in Westmoreland include:

• Rehabilitation of the West Newton Bridge that carries Route 136 over the Youghiogheny River, at an estimated cost of $7 million.
• Replacement of the Salina Bridge over the Kiski River and Norfolk Southern Railroad, estimated at $13.3 million.
• Safety improvements on Route 30 between Route 48 in North Versailles, Allegheny County, and Malts Lane in North Huntingdon, with a $22.3 million price tag.

Bridge projects dominate

The West Newton Bridge project is intended to maintain the historic significance of the metal truss span, which was built in 1909. After undergoing previous work in 1957, 1982 and 2010, it has received a poor rating for its superstructure.

Bids for the new bridge rehab project are to be let in 2024.

“The bridge that exists will stay, and we’ll preserve all the historic parts of it,” Duda said, adding that a temporary bridge will be used during construction.

“Building a temporary bridge is something that’s crazy for a bridge that size,” she said. “It took a lot of planning.”

Otherwise, the project would have required a detour “way too long to be able to handle that kind of closure,” Saunders said.

Bidding for the Salina Bridge project is targeted for December, with construction to begin next year. The existing bridge will remain open to traffic as the replacement is constructed next to it.

“There will be some detours at the end when we’re tying into the new alignment,” Saunders said.

The largest chunk of funding available for the long-range transportation plan, 44%, will be devoted to bridge projects, while roadway improvements will account for 32%.

“In the last 10 years, our region has made very good progress in decreasing the number of poor-rated bridges,” D’Andrea said. “They have been cut in half, but we still have work to do.”

He said about 10% of state-owned bridges and 25% of locally owned bridges across the region remain in poor condition.

Additional Westmoreland bridge projects proposed in the long-range transportation plan, with associated cost estimates, include:

• Replacement/rehabilitation of the Walworth Viaduct bridge that carries Route 30 over Route 119: $17.7 million.
• Replacement/rehab of the Avonmore Bridge that carries Route 156 over the Kiski River: $6 million.
• Replacement/rehab of the Larimer Bridge that carries Route 993 over Brush Creek in North Huntingdon: $5.2 million.
• Preservation of the Route 30 bridge over Edna Road in Hempfield: $8.2 million.
• Preservation of the West Leechburg Bridge over the Kiski River: $5 million.
• Improvements to the bridge carrying Route 366 over Route 380 in Murrysville: $17.5 million.
• Rehabilitation of the bridge carrying White Cloud Road over Route 56 in Allegheny Township: $5.1 million.

Additional projects proposed

Other proposed long-term Westmoreland projects:

• Reconstruction of Route 66 from Route 22 north to the county line: $21.6 million.
• Reconfiguration of North Greengate Road in the vicinity of the railroad overpass in Hempfield: $15.5 million.
• Route 130 corridor review and improvements: $10 million.
• Improvements on Route 119 from the vicinity of the former Sony plant to Youngwood and from Youngwood to the Route 30 interchange: $137 million.
• Restoration of Route 119 in the area of the West Tec Drive exit: $4.5 million.
• Pavement preservation on Route 286 between the Allegheny County and Indiana County lines: $13.3 million.
• Preservation of Route 366 from the Allegheny County line to Route 66: $7.2 million.

Public transit addressed

SPC’s plan also calls for investing $408 million in public transit in Westmoreland County through 2050. Some proposed projects include a preventive maintenance program for Westmoreland Transit buses, at a cost of $16.5 million; resurfacing of a 245-space Park & Ride lot at Carpenter Lane and Route 30 in North Huntingdon, $3.7 million; and upgrading the fare collection system, $275,000.

Senior transit planner David Totten said the SPC is working on a regional mobile ticketing study that could be ready for review in August. He said it is examining the feasibility for neighboring authorities, including Westmoreland Transit and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, to “work together, maybe at the back office level, so that there would be interoperability between transit tickets.

“You could really make a trip across the whole region on public transit.”

D’Andrea said the SPC also has identified potential multimodal hub locations across the region, “where multiple transit agencies could come together to transfer folks.”

It’s working on a detailed study of one of those proposed hub sites, near the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, he said.

Comment deadline near

The long range transportation plan is set to be finalized by June 26, with public comments accepted through Friday, June 9.

Comments can be submitted via email to comments@spcregion.org. For more information, visit spcregion.org.