Pittsburgh officials unveil safety plans ahead of busy weekend

It's about to be a very busy weekend in the city of Pittsburgh with Juneteenth celebrations, and Taylor Swift is returning with two shows Friday and Saturday.Safety is a top priority over the four days of events. Pittsburgh Public Safety has been working behind the scenes for weeks now for both of them. Officials say they’re anticipating some of the largest crowds they have seen in recent history. This isn't just only around across Acrisure Stadium, but also in other parts of the city. Officials say traffic and parking will be the main issues this weekend. There are going to be parking restrictions and road closures for the Juneteenth parade on Saturday. For the Swift concerts, parking at Acrisure will only be available for fans with tickets.Officials also said if you work in the area around North Shore on Friday or Saturday and you can work from home, you’re asked to do so. Pittsburgh officers will be working overtime, and Pennsylvania State Police will be helping with highways and traffic. Allegheny County police will also be there for support. Pittsburgh police chief Larry Scirotto says Swift’s concerts alone, there will be 50 officers inside the stadium, and 25 outside. Overall, he said, it will impact about 200 city officers over the weekend. "We anticipate some of the largest crowds we’ve seen in quite some time converging in areas throughout the city, mainly downtown in the North Shore, Market Square, Point State Park, Liberty Avenue and around Acrisure Stadium, obviously," said Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt. When it comes to Juneteenth, officials estimate about 8,000 to 10,000 people will be out for any given day for the four-day festivities.As many as 100,000 Taylor Swift fans will be down on the North Shore over the weekend. “This is probably the biggest event I would say in the city in quite some time…we have people coming down from Canada and all over the country, but we are excited for them to see the city, we are excited for them to see Acrisure Stadium,” Steelers spokesperson, Burt Lauten said.Along with a visible police presence both inside and around the stadium, River Rescue will be patrolling the water as people take in the shows from their boats.Officials are strongly discouraging all non-ticket holders to avoid coming down to the stadium and the North Shore. “We are asking if you do not have tickets, that you do not add to the volume of people on the North Shore. We don't really have areas to listen or for you to stand around the stadium safely,” Schmidt said.If you do have a ticket, officials say take public transit if possible and travel lightly. Acrisure Stadium has a clear bag policy and only mobile tickets are accepted. “We want to make sure that the people who do have the tickets get in easily, enjoy the concert, and then, get home safely afterwards,” Lauten said.

PITTSBURGH —

It's about to be a very busy weekend in the city of Pittsburgh with Juneteenth celebrations, and Taylor Swift is returning with two shows Friday and Saturday.

Safety is a top priority over the four days of events. Pittsburgh Public Safety has been working behind the scenes for weeks now for both of them. Officials say they’re anticipating some of the largest crowds they have seen in recent history. This isn't just only around across Acrisure Stadium, but also in other parts of the city.

Officials say traffic and parking will be the main issues this weekend. There are going to be parking restrictions and road closures for the Juneteenth parade on Saturday. For the Swift concerts, parking at Acrisure will only be available for fans with tickets.

Officials also said if you work in the area around North Shore on Friday or Saturday and you can work from home, you’re asked to do so.

Pittsburgh officers will be working overtime, and Pennsylvania State Police will be helping with highways and traffic. Allegheny County police will also be there for support.

Pittsburgh police chief Larry Scirotto says Swift’s concerts alone, there will be 50 officers inside the stadium, and 25 outside. Overall, he said, it will impact about 200 city officers over the weekend.

"We anticipate some of the largest crowds we’ve seen in quite some time converging in areas throughout the city, mainly downtown in the North Shore, Market Square, Point State Park, Liberty Avenue and around Acrisure Stadium, obviously," said Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Lee Schmidt.

When it comes to Juneteenth, officials estimate about 8,000 to 10,000 people will be out for any given day for the four-day festivities.

As many as 100,000 Taylor Swift fans will be down on the North Shore over the weekend.

“This is probably the biggest event I would say in the city in quite some time…we have people coming down from Canada and all over the country, but we are excited for them to see the city, we are excited for them to see Acrisure Stadium,” Steelers spokesperson, Burt Lauten said.

Along with a visible police presence both inside and around the stadium, River Rescue will be patrolling the water as people take in the shows from their boats.

Officials are strongly discouraging all non-ticket holders to avoid coming down to the stadium and the North Shore.

“We are asking if you do not have tickets, that you do not add to the volume of people on the North Shore. We don't really have areas to listen or for you to stand around the stadium safely,” Schmidt said.

If you do have a ticket, officials say take public transit if possible and travel lightly. Acrisure Stadium has a clear bag policy and only mobile tickets are accepted.

“We want to make sure that the people who do have the tickets get in easily, enjoy the concert, and then, get home safely afterwards,” Lauten said.

Pittsburgh officials unveil safety plans ahead of busy weekend

Good Housekeeping