Pittsburgh officials announce safety measures, road closures for First Night celebration

First responders will be stationed throughout Downtown Pittsburgh to ensure safety during the Highmark First Night Pittsburgh celebration on New Year’s Eve, officials said.

Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt said the city is “committed to ensuring residents and visitors are able to celebrate this annual, family-friendly tradition in a secure environment.”

First Night organizers said they anticipate the event will draw between 10,000 and 20,000 people.

Pittsburgh police, fire and EMS, emergency management, homeland security and public safety crossing guards will be stationed throughout Downtown and the Cultural District during the event, public safety officials said.

Additional light towers will be positioned to illuminate high-traffic areas. Police officers will be stationed at key intersections, and the Department of Public Works will put up about 60 barricades to encourage safe traffic, officials said.

“Our officers will be highly visible throughout the evening and available to assist when needed. Please do not hesitate to ask for help or report any suspicious or criminal activity,” police Chief Larry Scirotto said.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, which organizes the event, said it also will have private security on site, as well as a professional surveillance system.

Pittsburgh police and other law enforcement partners will be watching for impaired drivers, officials said. They urged people to plan safe rides home with designated drivers, ride-share services or public transit.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses and rail service will operate on holiday schedules on Jan. 1 and on Sunday schedules with detours Downtown on Dec. 31.

Inspectors with Pittsburgh’s fire bureau will oversee the fireworks displays during the First Night event, as well as the new Firetree project installation at Eighth and Penn in the Cultural District.

No parking signs will be posted 48 hours in advance of the events, and towing is scheduled to begin Sunday morning.

The Cultural Trust announced several road closures for the event.

Roads that will be closed from 10 a.m. Sunday to 3 a.m. Monday include:

• Stanwix Street between Liberty Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard.
• Penn Avenue from Fifth Street to Penn Avenue Extension.
• Cecil Place between Penn Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard.

Roads that will be closed from 4 p.m. Sunday to 1 a.m. Monday include:

• Fifth Avenue from Liberty Avenue to Penn Avenue.
• Penn Avenue from Fifth Avenue to Sixth Street.
• Penn Avenue from Sixth Street to Ninth Street.
• Seventh Street from Liberty Avenue to the Theater Square parking garage entrance.
• Eighth Street from Penn Avenue to Fort Duquesne Boulevard.
• Tito Way from Liberty Avenue to Penn Avenue.
• Exchange Way from Tito Way to Ninth Street.
• McCrea Way from Sixth Street to Barkers Place.

Roads that will be closed from 8 to 8:30 p.m. because of the parade include:

• Ninth Street from Liberty Avenue to French Street.
• Penn Avenue from Ninth Street to 10th Street.
• Garrison Place from Liberty Avenue to French Street.
• The intersection of Sixth Street and Penn Avenue.
• 10th Street from Fort Duquesne Boulevard to Penn Avenue.

Related:

• First Night Pittsburgh: What you need to know

• Highmark First Night Pittsburgh turns 30 this year

• Pittsburgh's Roberto Clemente Bridge to reopen on New Year's Eve