Pittsburgh's Official Christmas Tree Delivery To Trigger Traffic Woes

PITTSBURGH, PA — Delivery of the 40-foot official city of Pittsburgh Christmas tree will cause traffic headaches in and around Pittsburgh Saturday.

The blue spruce, donated by the Guardian Angels Catholic Parish of Natrona Heights Springdale campus will make the journey from Springdale to the City-County Building, Downtown. Once there, it will be adorned with lights and ornaments and serve as the city’s official tree through the
new year.

Drivers can expect temporary delays and rolling traffic closures at the following locations from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. as the tree is escorted Downtown: James Street toward Pittsburgh Street in Springdale; Pillow Avenue to Hite Road in Cheswick; Route 28 south to I-279 and the Fort Duquesne Bridge; Fort Pitt Boulevard to Grant Street.

On Sunday, the northbound travel lane of Grant Street closest to the City-County Building will be closed from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for crews to finish decorating the tree.

The City of Pittsburgh Christmas Tree Lighting and festivities will take place on Grant Street in front of the City-County Building beginning at 4 p.m. on Nov. 23, and will feature live music from Louie Castle and the Salvation Army New York Staff Band, food trucks, crafts, and holiday light shows. The 109th Christmas Tree will be lit at 5 p.m. and will feature rooftop fireworks. The musically timed City-County Building holiday light show will be featured at 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

One of Downtown’s oldest traditions, the first official City of Pittsburgh Christmas Tree was erected in 1914 on what was then the City-County Building construction site.