Inbound Armstrong Tunnel to close periodically as part of larger project

The Allegheny County Department of Public Works has announced that the inbound Armstrong Tunnel in Pittsburgh will be closed periodically between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday.

The closure is needed to allow investigation work being done by Duquesne Light.

It’s all part of an upcoming comprehensive Armstrong Tunnel rehabilitation project, according to Public Works spokesman Brent Wasko. He said the work will begin late this year or in early 2023.

“Utilities are going in, and in this situation, Duquesne Light needs to open up some manholes to take a look at the location of their lines and determine what kind of work needs to be done as part of the project,” said Wasko. “Obviously to open up some manholes, you have to close the road in there.”

There will be no posted detour, but drivers needing to get around the closure can use Second Avenue, Ross Street and Forbes Avenue.

Wasko said an announcement will be made at a later date about exactly when the rehab project will begin.

“I can’t give you an exact date at this time because we’re still finalizing our plans,” he said. “The next step is to bid the project for construction. And then we’ll work out when the construction will start.”

The Armstrong Tunnels were closed in both directions on July 19 while similar investigation work was being conducted.

The Armstrong Tunnels are nearly a century old. They were built in 1926 to provide a way to drive from Downtown to the South Side. It’s one of only a small number of tunnels to have a pedestrian walkway.