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Interstate 579 Pennsylvania

Downtown Pittsburgh Map - Interstate-Guide.com

Interstate 579 wraps around the eastern portion of downtown Pittsburgh next to the Mellon Arena before culminating at the northern approach onto the Liberty Bridge over the Monongahela River.

Routing

Interstate 579 is the Crosstown Boulevard, a short freeway spur from Interstate 279 on the North Shore into downtown Pittsburgh (Golden Triangle). The highway crosses the Veterans Memorial Bridge into the central business district from Interstate 279. The south end occurs at the approach to the Liberty Bridge, just before the bridge passes over Interstate 376/U.S. 22-30 and crosses over the Monongahela River.

History

The connection with Interstate 376 is not a full interchange, and thus the route is an odd-digit spur as opposed to an even-digit loop. This was not the case in original planning however as Interstate 579 was originally designated Interstate 876. By 1964, the designation again changed to that of Interstate 479. At the same time Interstate 279 represented the Interstate 79 mainline. The current Interstate 79 mainline represented the planned Interstate 279.1 Interstate 579 itself was built in stages, with the Crosstown Boulevard portion (between the Liberty Bridge and the Veterans Memorial Bridge) opened to traffic in 1962 and the Veterans Bridge (and Interstate 279 connectors) opened to traffic in 1987.2, 3, 4

The Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Allegheny River is a steel girder bridge. It was built in 1986-1987, is 1050 feet long, and has eight lanes. Three lanes travel continuously in each direction, and a two-lane reversible lane opens to high occupancy vehicles during commuting hours (direction varies in mornings and afternoons).2 The high occupancy lanes on the Veterans Memorial Bridge carry high occupancy vehicles directly from dedicated lanes on Interstate 279/Penn Lincoln Parkway North into downtown.

The Liberty Bridge is not a part of Interstate 579. The bridge, which was built in 1926-1928, predates the Crosstown Boulevard (which was built in 1962) and is designated as Pennsylvania 3069 (unsigned).3 It is a steel cantilever carries four lanes over the Monongahela River with the center lanes reversible. A traffic signal at McArdle Roadway is the only break in continuous flow between the Liberty Bridge and the Liberty Tunnels. The tunnels were built in 1924 by Allegheny County and are the longest tunnels (5,889 feet each) in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.4 Again note that neither the Liberty Bridge nor the Liberty Tunnels are part of Interstate 579.

Highway Guides

Mileage

State Mileage Cities Junctions
Pennsylvania 1.57 Pittsburgh Interstate 279
Source: October 31, 2002 Interstate Route Log and Finders List

I-579 Pennsylvania Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)

County From: To: AADT Composite
Allegheny Interstate 279 PA 380 Bigelow Boulevard 58,000
Source: Pennsylvania Traffic Volumes 2002 (Penndot)
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Southern Terminus - Liberty Bridge Approach - downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Perspective from Interstate 579 south
This photo shows the southern terminus of Interstate 579 as it approaches Interstate 376. Photo taken by Jeff Kitsko (2001).
Perspective from Liberty Bridge/Liberty Tunnels south
This variable message sign is posted on the southbound Liberty Bridge after Interstate 579 ends. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01).
At the south end of the Liberty Bridge is the Liberty Tunnel. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01).
Perspective from Interstate 376 and U.S. 22-30 (Penn-Lincoln Parkway East) east
There is no connection from eastbound Interstate 376/U.S. 22-30 (Penn-Lincoln Parkway East) to Interstate 579 or the Liberty Bridge over the Monongahela River. Here, Interstate 376 east passes under the Liberty Bridge. Photo taken by Andy Field (10/28/04).
Perspective from Interstate 376 and U.S. 22-30 (Penn-Lincoln Parkway East) west
Westbound Interstate 376/U.S. 22-30 reaches Exit 3B, Junction Pennsylvania 885 (Bates Street) northbound, which connects to the Boulevard of the Allies. Interstate 376 meets the Monongahela River for the first time, and the two will closely follow each other all the way to the Point, where the Monongahela River will feed into the Ohio River. The next exit is Exit 2B, Boulevard of the Allies west to Junction Interstate 579 north. Mellon Arena, Duquesne University, and the Convention Center are all accessed via Interstate 579. Photo taken by Andy Field (11/02/04).
Immediately thereafter, westbound Interstate 376/U.S. 22-30 (Penn Lincoln Parkway East) reaches Exit 3A, Junction Pennsylvania 885 (Bates Street to Second Avenue and Irvine Street) southbound. The first signage for Interstate 579 appears. This is not a direct connection; a brief trip on Boulevard of the Allies is required to connect to Interstate 579 north from westbound Interstate 376 and U.S. 22-30. Photo taken by Andy Field (11/02/04).
The next exit along westbound Interstate 376/U.S. 22-30 is Exit 2B, Junction Pennsylvania 885 (again)/Boulevard of the Allies westbound to the Liberty Bridge south and Interstate 579 north. Photo taken by Andy Field (11/02/04).
The right lane becomes exit only for the connection to Boulevard of the Allies and Interstate 579, while the left two lanes continue along westbound Interstate 376/U.S. 22-30. The freeway is riding at the bottom of a retaining wall. At the top of the wall is Duquesne University, a private, Catholic university that first opened in 1878. Its entire 40-acre campus is located on the Bluff, overlooking the Monongahela River and downtown Pittsburgh. Photo taken by Andy Field (11/02/04).
Downtown Pittsburgh comes into view along westbound Interstate 376/U.S. 22-30 as the freeway passes by the gore point for Exit 2B, which is the connection to Interstate 579. Photo taken by Andy Field (11/02/04).
Perspective from Liberty Tunnels/Liberty Bridge north
Looking Northbound at the South end of the Liberty Bridge. Although not readable in this photograph, an Interstate 579 overhead is displayed midway on the bridge. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01).
Perspective from Interstate 579 north
Beginning of Interstate 579 at the North end of the Liberty Bridge. There is no direct access between Interstate 579 and Interstate 376. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01).

Northern Terminus - Interstate 279 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Perspective from Interstate 579 north
END Interstate 579 Pennsylvania assembly at the interchange with Interstate 279. The empty brackets once held a North Interstate 279 shield assembly. Photo taken by Barb Bee (3/01).
Perspective from Interstate 279 (Penn-Lincoln Parkway North) north
No photos of this perspective are currently available. If you have photos to contribute, please contact us.
Perspective from Interstate 279 (Penn-Lincoln Parkway North) south
Now traveling south on Interstate 279 (Penn Lincoln Parkway North), this is the split of Interstate 279 and Interstate 579. Restricted lanes are visible for Interstate 279 to the left of the main Southbound travel lanes. Photo taken by AARoads (10/01).

Footnotes:

  1. 1968 Pennsylvania Official Highway Map
  2. Bridges and Tunnels of Allegheny County: Veterans Memorial Bridge - Bruce S. Cridlebaugh
  3. Bridges and Tunnels of Allegheny County: Liberty Bridge - Bruce S. Cridlebaugh
  4. Bridges and Tunnels of Allegheny County: Liberty Tunnels - Bruce S. Cridlebaugh

Page Updated August 12, 2007.