Pirates-Steelers Doubleheader Could Cause North Shore Parking, Traffic Problems

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Pirates are bracing for a traffic jam and parking problems with both teams playing on Saturday, the first of two such situations on the North Shore this fall.

The Pirates are hosting the Seattle Mariners for a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday at PNC Park. Six hours later, the Steelers will host the Buffalo Bills for a 7 p.m. preseason game.

RELATED: Steelers vs Bills Preseason Gameday: Injury Updates, Broadcast Info, Betting Lines, More

Because the stadiums share parking facilities on the North Shore, the dueling home dates could cause traffic and problem problems for those attempting to attend the later, Steelers game.

Reserved, pre-sold lots will open for Steelers fans at 2 p.m., but the Steelers are recommending that fans do not arrive on the North Shore before 4 p.m., and the Pirates are asking their fans to exit parking lots and garages immediately following the end of the baseball game.

Fans without pre-sold parking passes are strongly encouraged to park downtown and either walk across the Ft. Duquesne Bridge or take the T to the North Shore, or park on the South Side and ride the Gateway Clipper shuttle.

Exiting Pirates traffic will likely cause significant traffic delays on the North Shore, so it may take longer than usual for fans to reach their parking destinations.

The Steelers/Pirates doubleheader is the first of two such parking conundrums this fall. The Pirates are hosting the Kansas City Royals at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, while the Pitt Panthers and West Virginia Mountaineers are set to do battle in the Backyard Brawl at Acrisure Stadium at 3:30 p.m. that afternoon.

Parking for that game is being segregated between Pirates lots and football lots, with pre-sold passes moved around to accommodate both games.