Eliyahu Gasson | editor-in-chief

Pittsburgh is expecting anywhere between 500,000 and 700,000 visitors for the NFL Draft later this month — a figure that would exceed half the city’s current population. For three days, from April 23-25, the event will stretch across the North Shore and Downtown, and city officials have a clear message for everyone trying to get there: Do not drive.

“We encourage folks not to drive into town as there will be increased congestion, and parking will be more expensive and more competitive,” said Molly Onufer, a spokeswoman for Pittsburgh’s Mayor’s Office.

That message applies to out-of-town fans and residents who pass through or work in those neighborhoods alike. Road closures around the North Shore and Downtown will be in effect throughout the week. Onufer said the city does not have a specific estimate for how many visitors will be in other parts of the city, but that organizers do expect many visitors to stay in other neighborhoods around the region.

The transit alternative the city is leaning on is Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), which will operate an expanded service schedule during the draft.

All routes are set to run at least at Saturday level service levels, and full weekday frequency will be maintained on high-ridership corridors such as the P1-East Busway, the G2-West Busway and the 54-North Side-Oakland-South Side routes.

“One bus takes 40 or more cars off the road,” said Adam Brandolph, deputy chief communications officer for PRT. “Our hope is that people will use public transit and not become traffic.”

For fans traveling from Pittsburgh’s suburbs, PRT is operating four “Football Flyer” park-and-ride routes. The 99N, 99S, 99E and 99W will bring passengers from the cardinal direction to the North Shore. The Football Flyers are set to run every 15 minutes Thursday and Friday and every 30 minutes on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Rides on the Football Flyers will be free for all riders during the draft. The Football Flyers are being funded by the Pittsburgh Organizing Committee, which is leading organization efforts for the draft, and the Pittsburgh Foundation.

PRT is also offering free rides on the T and the Monongahela Incline through a partnership with Sheetz. Brandolph said the company approached PRT looking for a way to participate in draft week, and the conversation grew into a fare sponsorship.

PRT is also offering $25 Draft Passes on the Ready2Ride app.

For fans looking to travel between Downtown and the North Shore, Onufer suggested taking the T or walking the Roberto Clemente Bridge, which will be closed to vehicle traffic.

The pedestrian bridge between Point State Park will be closed over concerns about crowd size. Fans can also hop on the Gateway Clipper fleet, which will run shuttles between Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium and Station Square and PNC Park.

For those flying into town, Bob Kerlik, director of public affairs for Allegheny County Airport Authority, said Pittsburgh International Airport expects the highest volume of arrivals Wednesday and Thursday, with Sunday and Monday expected to be the busiest departure days.

He advised travelers to arrive two hours before their flights on those days. PRT has added service on the 28X-Airport Flyer to accommodate the extra passengers.

Kerlik said the airport is working with several businesses and local institutions to give passengers a chance to experience the draft before entering the city including a mock draft stage near the airport’s statue of Franco Harris, a former Steeler known for scoring the “Immaculate Reception.”

The planning effort, Onufer said, has been a joint undertaking led by VisitPittsburgh and the Steelers, with subcommittees on transportation and public safety drawing in the city, Allegheny County and state agencies.

Eliyahu Gasson can be reached at gassone@duq.edu