"It's not gonna be good:' Local business braces for Parkway East closure

June 30, 2026 - 04:38

Dave Guerin, who runs a business in Swissvale, is bracing for trouble as the Parkway East prepares to close for 25 days. He said the shutdown will create real headaches, especially for getting supplies and making deliveries.

"It's not gonna be good," Guerin said. He explained that his suppliers and delivery drivers will have to figure out long detours, which will add time and cost to every trip. For a small business, those extra minutes and miles add up fast.

The closure is set to block a major stretch of the highway, forcing traffic onto local roads. Guerin worries that customers might avoid the area entirely, hurting his bottom line. He also noted that some of his regular shipments come from outside the region, and the detours could cause delays or missed deliveries.

While the highway work is meant to fix aging infrastructure, Guerin said the timing and length of the closure feel harsh for businesses that rely on the Parkway. He is trying to plan ahead, but he admitted that there is only so much he can do. For now, he is hoping his regulars will stick with him and that the detours will not be as bad as he fears.