Kennywood Visitors May Run Into Traffic Jams

A routine drive to Kennywood might be anything but a walk in the park this season.

Major construction projects on Route 837 and the Rankin Bridge may trigger major traffic jams for Kennywood guests when the park opens on Saturday.

"This is definitely the time of year for construction, but we're taking a pro-active approach to help our guests get here with as little stress as possible," said park spokesman Jeff Filicko.

The long-term rehabilitation of the Rankin Bridge effectively funnels traffic from the Parkway East to a single lane heading towards Route 837 in Whitaker.

Filicko says traffic heading from downtown Pittsburgh can easily access the Homestead-Grays Bridge as a detour, as well as the stretch of Route 837 through the South Side.

Drivers coming from the North Hills and points beyond are being urged to use the Turnpike, exit at the Pittsburgh/Monroeville interchange, follow Route 48 to Route 30 in North Versailles, Route 148 in McKeesport and use the McKeesport-Duquesne Bridge to reach Route 837 and the park's entrance.

As workers spent the day painting, scrubbing and sweeping in advance of Saturday's opening, Filicko stressed that the park has been working with local police to help keep traffic moving nearby.

"We're also doing our best to meet with the contractors in the bordering municipalities to alleviate stress on both sides and find the easiest and quickest way to get guests from the starting point to our Kennywood parking lot."

KDKA - JIM LOKAY
April 30, 2009