PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WPXI) – A 700-day closure of a northbound Interstate 579 ramp began Friday as part of the $29.34 million I-579 “Cap” Urban Connector project, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced. The closure of the ramp that takes drivers from northbound I-579 to 7th Avenue in Pittsburgh is scheduled started just after 8 p.m. For 700 consecutive days, the ramp PennDOT officials said is used by 2,250 vehicles each day will remain closed. It is expected to reopen Aug. 6, 2021. Crews have placed concrete barriers at the ramp, and southbound I-579 is being shifted into two 11-foot-wide lanes. Line painting will take place through Saturday morning. A detour has been posted for drivers in the area.