Football fans driving to the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this week can access enhanced real-time travel information available on a specialized web page at www.511PA.com/map/page/NFL.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is encouraging drivers to use the digital services leading up to and during the draft, which takes place Thursday, April 23, through Saturday, April 25, downtown and on the North Shore.
Hosted through the department’s www.511PA.com traveler information website, the web page is dedicated to monitoring traffic conditions on primary travel routes to the event.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said the agency is using every tool possible to minimize roadway congestion and focus on safe travel by providing drivers with as much information as possible.
“We encourage the public to use 511PA to plan the route that works best for them — whether they’re joining the draft events or traveling through the area,” Carroll said.
The new draft web page includes the average travel time for primary routes from the north, west, south and east. Users can see incidents, construction, traffic cameras, traffic speeds and message board displays on the map.
PennDOT will be activating an additional 40 cameras in the area throughout the event to enhance monitoring of current traffic conditions, as well as 32 additional message boards to help direct travelers. The page also includes public transportation maps and a link to Pittsburgh Regional Transit.
PennDOT’s Western Region Traffic Management Center is also supporting the NFL Draft by posting real-time travel information on changeable message signs.
Pennsylvanians traveling in and around the greater Pittsburgh area should be prepared for changing traffic patterns, slow-moving or stopped vehicles and an increase in pedestrian traffic. A comprehensive transportation guide including public transportation, parking, road closures and other travel information for the NFL Draft can be found on the Visit Pittsburgh website.
Information on statewide roadway and ramp closures and detours is available online. Additionally, the Pittsburgh State Office Driver’s License Center at 708 Smithfield St. will be closed due to anticipated traffic impacts on Thursday, April 23, and Friday, April 24. Online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at pa.gov/dmv.
In addition to the upcoming draft, Pennsylvania also will take center stage for several other high-profile sporting and cultural events, including the FIFA World Cup 26, MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia and America250PA. These events will also bring millions of visitors to Pennsylvania with 600,000 fans expected for the draft in Pittsburgh alone.
Motorists are encouraged to “Know Before They Go” by checking conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.