Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Members

Membership

blue

Axios Pittsburgh Partners

Axios Pittsburgh Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Pittsburgh Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Pittsburgh with Alexis Johnson, Ryan Deto, and Chrissy Suttles.

Axios Pittsburgh

Standard

Help pick Pittsburgh's worst sidewalk

Cast your vote for the city's most frustrating stretch of sidewalk.

Transit

Pittsburgh is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fairly good city for pedestrians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/17/1-photo-to-go-walk-this-way" data-vars-content-id="2f74967c-9118-40bd-ab72-be345e41a8c9" data-vars-headline="Help pick Pittsburgh&#x27;s worst sidewalk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/17/1-photo-to-go-walk-this-way" target="_self">fairly good city for pedestrians</a>, but there are still plenty of sidewalk stretches that make navigating on foot treacherous.Why it matters: Many of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s sidewalks surveyed by volunteers" data-vars-click-url="https://safe-sidewalks-survey-map.netlify.app/?layers=density%2Cstreets&amp;mode=condition" data-vars-content-id="2f74967c-9118-40bd-ab72-be345e41a8c9" data-vars-headline="Help pick Pittsburgh&#x27;s worst sidewalk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://safe-sidewalks-survey-map.netlify.app/?layers=density%2Cstreets&amp;mode=condition" target="_blank">city&#x27;s sidewalks surveyed by volunteers</a> are in poor condition, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Safe Sidewalks Crew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pittsburghwalks.org/safesidewalks" data-vars-content-id="2f74967c-9118-40bd-ab72-be345e41a8c9" data-vars-headline="Help pick Pittsburgh&#x27;s worst sidewalk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pittsburghwalks.org/safesidewalks" target="_blank">Safe Sidewalks Crew</a>, a partnership between BikePGH, Access Mob Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh&#x27;s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.

Eat'n Park debuts pickle Smiley cookie

The limited-edition pickle Smiley Cookies will be topped with green pickle-flavored icing.

Food and Drink

Eat&#x27;n Park is giving its iconic Smiley cookie a green, pickle-flavored makeover to celebrate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Picklesburgh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/02/picklesburgh-2026-dates-locations-expansion" data-vars-content-id="775b8bb4-fa45-42ba-8862-ff5de6639f3e" data-vars-headline="Eat&#x27;n Park debuts pickle Smiley cookie" 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">Picklesburgh</a>.Zoom in: The limited-edition pickle Smiley cookies will be topped with green pickle-flavored icing and Smiley&#x27;s signature grin.

U.S. Steel details Mon Valley upgrades

The company showcased major improvements planned for its Mon Valley facilities.

News

U.S. Steel is investing $2.5 billion in its Mon Valley Works facilities, and it showcased its planned improvements to the community Thursday.Why it matters: About a year after Japan&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nippon Steel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/us-steel-trump-nippon-takeover" data-vars-content-id="65dddd81-bec9-4d5e-878d-9099c3d945b4" data-vars-headline="U.S. Steel details Mon Valley upgrades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/us-steel-trump-nippon-takeover" target="_self">Nippon Steel</a> bought U.S. Steel, the region is starting to see portions of the promised $11 billion investment for the Pittsburgh-based icon.

Lemieux, Harris to join Pittsburgh Walk of Fame

The newest class spans sports, arts, science and business.

Culture

The next class of honorees for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pittsburgh&#x27;s Walk of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://pittsburghwalkoffame.org/" data-vars-content-id="ec55b13a-1025-42c7-abad-010878b638d4" data-vars-headline="Lemieux, Harris to join Pittsburgh Walk of Fame" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pittsburghwalkoffame.org/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh&#x27;s Walk of Fame</a> is set, spanning arts, science, sports and business.The big picture: The Walk of Fame honors people with ties to Southwestern Pennsylvania who helped shape American culture. Each inductee will be immortalized with a bronze star embedded at the Strip District Terminal sidewalk along Smallman Street.

Commercial Street Bridge demolished in controlled blast

A controlled blast cleared the way for the Parkway East bridge replacement.

<figure><img alt="A highway bridge exploding and releasing a cloud of dust on an empty highway with green hills in the background." height="444" id="f4737289-a867-4910-9760-8111bc4cdd43" src="https://images.axios.com/lT2HyIg8yvC9xoYNTVSpPAJzDPs=/2026/07/16/1784214262597.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>The Commercial Street Bridge exploded around 8am on Thursday morning. GIF: Courtesy of PennDOT</figcaption></figure>The old Commercial Street Bridge came tumbling down Thursday morning. 🌉 Why it matters: The aging bridge along the Parkway East is being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="replaced as part of an upgrade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/07/08/parkway-east-closes-bridge-project" data-vars-content-id="a8820c44-2823-419c-ace0-069dfe23f0f6" data-vars-headline="Commercial Street Bridge demolished in controlled blast" 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">replaced as part of an upgrade</a> to one of Pittsburgh&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most congested highways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/22/drivers-slow-tunnels-traffic-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="a8820c44-2823-419c-ace0-069dfe23f0f6" data-vars-headline="Commercial Street Bridge demolished in controlled blast" 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">most congested highways</a>. 💥 Zoom in: PennDOT demolished the Commercial Street Bridge in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="controlled blast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Da2uqgiJzrf/" data-vars-content-id="a8820c44-2823-419c-ace0-069dfe23f0f6" data-vars-headline="Commercial Street Bridge demolished in controlled blast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Da2uqgiJzrf/" target="_blank">controlled blast</a> just after 8am Thursday, a day after it was postponed.<ul><li>PennDOT previously cleared the area, and provided a short warning Thursday morning, and the bridge was demolished in a controlled explosion with little fanfare.</li></ul>🚧 Zoom out: The demolition is a big milestone in the $95 million project. Crews will now clear the debris and slide the new bridge into place. 👉 What&#x27;s next: The Parkway East has been closed since July 10 and is expected to reopen Aug. 3.

Parkway East closes Friday for 25-day bridge project

The closure will divert roughly 100,000 daily motorists off the highway.

A notoriously <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="congested" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/22/drivers-slow-tunnels-traffic-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="db943d1b-26ce-43fd-9841-eba18f0278e2" data-vars-headline="Parkway East closes Friday for 25-day bridge project" 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">congested</a> stretch of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Parkway East" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/22/pittsburgh-parkway-east-ranked-riskiest-road" data-vars-content-id="db943d1b-26ce-43fd-9841-eba18f0278e2" data-vars-headline="Parkway East closes Friday for 25-day bridge project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/10/22/pittsburgh-parkway-east-ranked-riskiest-road" target="_self">Parkway East</a> closes for 25 days on Friday as crews demolish and replace the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Commercial Street Bridge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/05/parkway-east-closure-commercial-street-bridge-july-2026" data-vars-content-id="db943d1b-26ce-43fd-9841-eba18f0278e2" data-vars-headline="Parkway East closes Friday for 25-day bridge project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/05/parkway-east-closure-commercial-street-bridge-july-2026" target="_self">Commercial Street Bridge</a>.Why it matters: The closure will test drivers&#x27; patience, and their brake pads, diverting roughly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="100,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/projects-near-you/district-11-projects/commercial-street-bridge-replacement/frequently-asked-questions" data-vars-content-id="db943d1b-26ce-43fd-9841-eba18f0278e2" data-vars-headline="Parkway East closes Friday for 25-day bridge project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/projects-near-you/district-11-projects/commercial-street-bridge-replacement/frequently-asked-questions" target="_blank">100,000</a> daily motorists off the highway and onto detoured routes that could snarl traffic throughout the city.

Road closures for America250PA concert at Point

Several roads near Point State Park will close before Saturday's show.

Point State Park&#x27;s free concert this weekend is bringing fun and a bit of disruption.Why it matters: For those attending and driving nearby, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nelly and Third Eye Blind show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/09/third-eye-blind-nelly-pittsburgh-concert-free" data-vars-content-id="daac8354-0940-4ef0-979f-d7322ca99a01" data-vars-headline="Road closures for America250PA concert at Point" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/09/third-eye-blind-nelly-pittsburgh-concert-free" target="_self">Nelly and Third Eye Blind show</a> has several road closures to navigate.

Commercial Street to close June 29 for bridge project

The closure marks the next phase of a $95 million bridge replacement.

The first phase of Pittsburgh&#x27;s massive summer traffic disruption begins next week. The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Commercial Street Bridge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/05/parkway-east-closure-commercial-street-bridge-july-2026" data-vars-content-id="01571bed-47ef-4b85-bd39-f47a93158cf7" data-vars-headline="Commercial Street to close June 29 for bridge project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/05/parkway-east-closure-commercial-street-bridge-july-2026" target="_self">Commercial Street Bridge</a> — part of Parkway East, one of the region&#x27;s most congested highways — is being replaced, leading to weeks-long road closures and major detours. Zoom in: Part of Commercial Street/Forward Avenue will close first to make way for work on the bridge above.<ul><li>The road will close between Whipple Street and Beechwood Boulevard starting at 7am June 29 and remain closed until the project is completed in early August, per PennDOT.</li></ul>

Pittsburgh firm wants parking fees for driverless cars

A local company says driverless cars should pay for parking like everyone else.

Driverless cars could soon be paying for parking like the rest of us.Why it matters: Cities are missing out on $20 million in parking revenue — and potentially half a billion dollars in five years — because autonomous vehicles aren&#x27;t paying for parking, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meter Feeder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.meterfeeder.com/" data-vars-content-id="82badd88-b77b-4c1c-b7f5-62947799382b" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh firm wants parking fees for driverless cars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.meterfeeder.com/" target="_blank">Meter Feeder</a> CEO Jim Gibbs tells Axios.

Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city

New funding will help bring bikeshare stations beyond city limits for the first time.

POGOH, Pittsburgh&#x27;s bike share, is expanding and is planning to move <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beyond the city&#x27;s borders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/10/pittsburgh-neighborways-safe-bike-routes-guide" data-vars-content-id="8dba3370-191a-46ad-81d2-fd6c3ac83a73" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/04/10/pittsburgh-neighborways-safe-bike-routes-guide" target="_self">beyond the city&#x27;s borders</a> for the first time.Why it matters: Bikeshare use has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grown" data-vars-click-url="https://data.bts.gov/stories/s/Bikeshare-and-e-scooters-in-the-U-S-/fwcs-jprj/" data-vars-content-id="8dba3370-191a-46ad-81d2-fd6c3ac83a73" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.bts.gov/stories/s/Bikeshare-and-e-scooters-in-the-U-S-/fwcs-jprj/" target="_blank">grown</a> in many cities across the country, as people look for more non-car options amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/08/mccormick-gas-prices-iran-conflict" data-vars-content-id="8dba3370-191a-46ad-81d2-fd6c3ac83a73" data-vars-headline="Pittsburgh bikeshare to expand beyond city" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/08/mccormick-gas-prices-iran-conflict" target="_self">rising gas prices</a>.

We timed PIT's new terminal

Most travelers can reach their gate in 20 minutes or less.

Travel

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="people mover" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/07/where-is-nebby" data-vars-content-id="59bb8e81-196f-4c80-80f1-c819d3dd12ff" data-vars-headline="We timed PIT&#x27;s new terminal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/05/07/where-is-nebby" target="_self">people mover</a> is gone and security is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="streamlined" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/11/18/tsa-opens-new-state-art-security-checkpoint-pittsburgh-international" data-vars-content-id="59bb8e81-196f-4c80-80f1-c819d3dd12ff" data-vars-headline="We timed PIT&#x27;s new terminal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/11/18/tsa-opens-new-state-art-security-checkpoint-pittsburgh-international" target="_blank">streamlined</a>, but how fast can you actually get through Pittsburgh International Airport&#x27;s new terminal? We timed it.Why it matters: PIT opened its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.7 billion terminal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/17/pittsburgh-airport-new-terminal-opens" data-vars-content-id="59bb8e81-196f-4c80-80f1-c819d3dd12ff" data-vars-headline="We timed PIT&#x27;s new terminal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/11/17/pittsburgh-airport-new-terminal-opens" target="_self">$1.7 billion terminal</a> late last year, promising to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="slash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1091784939105174" data-vars-content-id="59bb8e81-196f-4c80-80f1-c819d3dd12ff" data-vars-headline="We timed PIT&#x27;s new terminal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/1091784939105174" target="_blank">slash</a> curb-to-gate times for many travelers.

Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill

The proposal could be added to a major transit funding package this week.

President Trump is throwing his support behind an effort to improve railway safety that was written in the aftermath of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Palestine train derailment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/13/what-we-know-about-ohio-train-derailment" data-vars-content-id="fe53f2b4-c808-40a5-b6e1-9dfdbe7265e3" data-vars-headline="Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/02/13/what-we-know-about-ohio-train-derailment" target="_self">East Palestine train derailment</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Railway Safety Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/01/rail-safety-bill-senate-ohio-train-derailment" data-vars-content-id="fe53f2b4-c808-40a5-b6e1-9dfdbe7265e3" data-vars-headline="Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/01/rail-safety-bill-senate-ohio-train-derailment" target="_self">Railway Safety Act</a> has lingered in Congress for over three years after the 2023 derailment, even with bipartisan support from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rep. Chris Deluzio" data-vars-click-url="https://archive.triblive.com/local/regional/deluzio-fetterman-renew-calls-for-action-on-railway-safety-act/" data-vars-content-id="fe53f2b4-c808-40a5-b6e1-9dfdbe7265e3" data-vars-headline="Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://archive.triblive.com/local/regional/deluzio-fetterman-renew-calls-for-action-on-railway-safety-act/" target="_blank">Rep. Chris Deluzio</a> (D-Aspinwall), Democratic Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="John Fetterman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/27/fetterman-noem-dhs-shooting" data-vars-content-id="fe53f2b4-c808-40a5-b6e1-9dfdbe7265e3" data-vars-headline="Trump backs renewed push for railway safety bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/01/27/fetterman-noem-dhs-shooting" target="_self">John Fetterman</a> and Vice President JD Vance.

NFL draft drove a surge in transit use

Nearly half a million rides highlight transit's role during major events.

Pittsburgh&#x27;s public transit logged more than 485,000 rides over the three days the city hosted the NFL draft. Why it matters: Pittsburgh Regional Transit said its success in moving people around during the city&#x27;s record-breaking event showcases the &quot;critical role transit plays in supporting the regional economy.&quot;

Transit 🚗

Commercial Street Bridge demolished in controlled blast

Help pick Pittsburgh's worst sidewalk

🚂 Weekender: Big Boy No. 4014 to stop in Leetsdale

Parkway East closes Friday for 25-day bridge project

Road closures for America250PA concert at Point