Actual Rush Hour(s)??? (Pittsburgh, Bridgeville: gym, rated, commuters)

[newtopitt]

Hi all...

I am new to the Pittsburgh area and will be starting work soon. I am looking for advice on what traffic is like in the morning/evening. I know I have heard bad things about the Parkway at both tunnels. I will be coming from Monroeville and need to get close to Bridgeville. (I know I will be hitting both tunnels). When does traffic really start backing up? and more importantly what time does traffic really start to open up in the evenings? I will have a gym right next to work so thinking about going there until traffic isn't as bad. About what time would this be...going East on 376? And/or any alternative routes? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[guylocke]

Geeze, that's quite a hike for you, Monroeville to Bridgeville. I do have good news, though. You won't have to worry about your second set of tunnels which I assume is the Fort Pitt tubes, because you will be heading from downtown and out of the city. That will be a reverse transit, and you shouldn't really encounter much traffic. I've never taken the tunnels in-bound from Monroeville during rush hour. There are ways to get from the eastside to Pittsburgh without using those tunnels, but you'd have to go out of your way a little bit, so those tunnels would have to severely backed up before I would imagine the alternates routes would save you time.

How far are you from the turnpike?

[newtopitt]

Actually I am right at the turnpike onramp in monroeville (less then one mile from it). I am very used to a long commute and having to leave early in the morning so that doesn't really bother me that much. I am more interested in what time traffic starts clearing up on the parkway heading back east to Monvroeville. Nothing worse then a long day at work followed by sittin in traffic for hours...thus me thinkin I'll head to the gym for a while before heading home. So anyone know what time it starts clearin up in the PM?

[guylocke]

I am more interested in what time traffic starts clearing up on the parkway heading back east to Monvroeville.

I'd say starting around six o'clock it starts to settle down and by seven o'clock it's evaporated.

[Hemingway]

I don't commute everyday, but what boylocke says is about right. Heading east on 376 in the evening, you should be good to go by about 7 pm, give or take some days. That is from the city to the Squirrel Hill Tunnel...after that you won't have a problem. Inbound, I have only done prior to 6am...which is a commuters dream!