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Parkway East bridge project could reopen early

Rain remains the biggest obstacle to an early reopening, PennDOT says.

News

<figure><img alt="A time lapse video of a highway bridge sliding into place over a ravine with green hills in the background." height="444" id="75c33f9e-6c23-4b35-951a-e2e85b5a3d59" src="https://images.axios.com/jYDzSDXWeXJ-7W1hGG77bdLIGNE=/2026/07/20/1784568810516.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Timelapse video of PennDOT live stream of Commercial Street Bridge sliding into place on Sunday. GIF: Courtesy of Reddit user mr_never_lift</figcaption></figure>The Parkway East could reopen as early as the middle of next week if everything goes to plan, PennDOT officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/parkway-east-penndot-early-opening-commercial-street-bridge-replacement/" data-vars-content-id="89706df3-a09c-48b8-897b-1a63663cee19" data-vars-headline="Parkway East bridge project could reopen early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/parkway-east-penndot-early-opening-commercial-street-bridge-replacement/" target="_blank">said</a> Monday.Why it matters: That would mean the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$95 million bridge replacement project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/08/parkway-east-closes-bridge-project" data-vars-content-id="89706df3-a09c-48b8-897b-1a63663cee19" data-vars-headline="Parkway East bridge project could reopen early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/08/parkway-east-closes-bridge-project" target="_self">$95 million bridge replacement project</a> that&#x27;s closed one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh&#x27;s busiest highways " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/22/drivers-slow-tunnels-traffic-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="89706df3-a09c-48b8-897b-1a63663cee19" data-vars-headline="Parkway East bridge project could reopen early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/22/drivers-slow-tunnels-traffic-pittsburgh" target="_self">Pittsburgh&#x27;s busiest highways </a>would reopen about a week ahead of schedule.

What to eat, see and do at Picklesburgh

Things to Do

Pickle pandemonium is back for its 11th year, serving up inventive gherkin-inspired eats, vendors, contests and the return of a bucking pickle Thursday through Sunday.Why it matters: Picklesburgh is set to pack Downtown and the North Shore with more than 200,000 visitors for what&#x27;s expected to be its biggest festival yet, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/02/picklesburgh-2026-dates-locations-expansion" data-vars-content-id="4d16aa6a-4a48-4792-8f73-e13be74b699f" data-vars-headline="What to eat, see and do at Picklesburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/02/picklesburgh-2026-dates-locations-expansion" target="_self">expanding</a> into the newly renovated Market Square and Arts Landing.

Browns Hill Road crowned worst sidewalk

Axios readers picked Browns Hill Road as the city's toughest stretch to walk.

Browns Hill Road was voted the worst sidewalk in Pittsburgh due to its narrow pavement, steep hill and forced interaction with traffic, Axios readers say.Why it matters: Pedestrian advocates and city officials are tracking sidewalk conditions to make streets safer and are recruiting more volunteers to gather data on sidewalks at places like Browns Hill Road.

Trump praises Giant Eagle promotional price cuts

The president praised the grocery chain's summer discounts on 300 products.

President Trump tipped his cap to local grocery chain Giant Eagle on Sunday night over a promotional price cut.The big picture: As grocery prices have increased amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump&#x27;s tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/tomato-price-hike-2026" data-vars-content-id="f9dac920-ac7a-4854-99cb-3b9f73c71d43" data-vars-headline="Trump praises Giant Eagle promotional price cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/10/tomato-price-hike-2026" target="_self">Trump&#x27;s tariffs</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iran war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/iran-war-food-inflation-oil" data-vars-content-id="f9dac920-ac7a-4854-99cb-3b9f73c71d43" data-vars-headline="Trump praises Giant Eagle promotional price cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/iran-war-food-inflation-oil" target="_self">Iran war</a> and supply shocks, the president praised Giant Eagle for its temporary price cuts on 300 products.

Allegheny County bans police ICE cooperation

Council voted to bar most county assistance with federal immigration enforcement.

Allegheny County Council passed a bill prohibiting county police from assisting ICE.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE arrests have risen sharply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/04/trump-ice-immigration-arrests-deportations" data-vars-content-id="9d2ec58a-aeb8-44b6-b562-b05f5b8cb2b0" data-vars-headline="Allegheny County bans police ICE cooperation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/04/trump-ice-immigration-arrests-deportations" target="_self">ICE arrests have risen sharply</a> since the start of President Trump&#x27;s second term, including a growing number in Pittsburgh involving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigrants without local criminal charges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/09/trump-immigration-shift-ice-detentions-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="9d2ec58a-aeb8-44b6-b562-b05f5b8cb2b0" data-vars-headline="Allegheny County bans police ICE cooperation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/09/trump-immigration-shift-ice-detentions-pittsburgh" target="_self">immigrants without local criminal charges</a> — some with work permits or pending <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="asylum claims" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/12/summer-lee-ice-detention-brentwood-asylum-seeker" data-vars-content-id="9d2ec58a-aeb8-44b6-b562-b05f5b8cb2b0" data-vars-headline="Allegheny County bans police ICE cooperation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/12/summer-lee-ice-detention-brentwood-asylum-seeker" target="_self">asylum claims</a>.

Scoop: Lee questions ICE over detained Brentwood man

The Brentwood man was hospitalized while in ICE detention.

Immigration

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Swissvale) said in a Wednesday letter to ICE that the agency &quot;illegally detained&quot; a Brentwood immigrant with health issues who, his family says, is authorized to remain in the U.S.The big picture: The arrest of Maklim Gomez Escalante — an asylum seeker from El Salvador who lives with his family in Brentwood — is part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump administration shift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/09/trump-immigration-shift-ice-detentions-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="6debe0dc-4c25-41a1-a37c-dac625410217" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Lee questions ICE over detained Brentwood man" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/09/trump-immigration-shift-ice-detentions-pittsburgh" target="_self">Trump administration shift</a> away from immigration policy that traditionally allowed asylum applicants to live and work in the U.S. while awaiting a decision.

Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh

A Trump immigration policy shift is hitting Pittsburgh — underscored by the stories of two local immigrants who were recently detained by ICE.

A shift in Trump-era immigration policy is reverberating through Pittsburgh, underscored by the stories of two local immigrants who were recently detained by ICE while awaiting asylum rulings.Why it matters: The cases of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="José Flores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="c86136ff-dddf-4d5a-b72c-f14835283372" data-vars-headline="Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" target="_self">José Flores</a> in Oakmont and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Maklim Gomez Escalante" data-vars-click-url="https://triblive.com/local/salvadoran-family-in-brentwood-in-the-dark-as-father-languishes-in-ice-custody/" data-vars-content-id="c86136ff-dddf-4d5a-b72c-f14835283372" data-vars-headline="Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://triblive.com/local/salvadoran-family-in-brentwood-in-the-dark-as-father-languishes-in-ice-custody/" target="_blank">Maklim Gomez Escalante</a> in Brentwood — both asylum seekers with valid work permits and no criminal records — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rattled the region" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="c86136ff-dddf-4d5a-b72c-f14835283372" data-vars-headline="Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" target="_self">rattled the region</a> and raised questions about what it means to immigrate &quot;the right way&quot; in Trump 2.0.

Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released

"We remain in constant contact with his family and are working closely with his immigration attorney," a statement from the bakery reads.

The employer of José Flores — a local immigrant authorized to work in the U.S. who was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently detained by ICE" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="efd9cd3a-038c-4952-be41-235530e40045" data-vars-headline="Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/03/oakmont-ban-ice-agreements-immigrant-detention" target="_self">recently detained by ICE</a> — wants him released and brought back to Oakmont.Why it matters: The community has rallied around Flores, a Nicaraguan immigrant who was taken from Oakmont last week by federal agents and who local and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state officials" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" data-vars-content-id="efd9cd3a-038c-4952-be41-235530e40045" data-vars-headline="Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/02/04/deluzio-ice-oakmont-immigrant-detention" target="_self">state officials</a> say has a work permit, no criminal record and a current pending asylum case.

Fetterman urges Trump to fire Noem over DHS raid

The senator says Noem's role in a lethal immigration raid shows she's unfit to lead.

Politics & Policy

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is calling for DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to be fired after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Pretti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" data-vars-content-id="280d48b3-80c9-4606-a928-2e655a5ee128" data-vars-headline="Fetterman urges Trump to fire Noem over DHS raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" target="_self">Alex Pretti</a> was shot and killed in Minneapolis during a deadly immigration raid, he tells Axios by phone Tuesday morning.Why it matters: Fetterman was one of just a few Democrats to support Noem&#x27;s nomination. He said he hopes his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cordiality with President Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/15/fetterman-democrats-senate-2024-trump" data-vars-content-id="280d48b3-80c9-4606-a928-2e655a5ee128" data-vars-headline="Fetterman urges Trump to fire Noem over DHS raid" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/15/fetterman-democrats-senate-2024-trump" target="_self">cordiality with President Trump</a> means his demands will carry more weight than those of other senators.

Immigration

Allegheny County bans police ICE cooperation

Scoop: Lee questions ICE over detained Brentwood man

Trump policy shift drives ICE detentions in Pittsburgh

Oakmont Bakery wants detained immigrant employee released

Shapiro says Pennsylvania will be prepared for any DHS surge