As you folks may know the G-20 Summit will be held here in Pittsburgh the end of September. This event is causing major problems as far as police protection, closing down 5 sq. blocks to all traffic, bringing in additional police from as far as California, protesters, schools and businesses forced to shut down, and on and on. Those not familiar with Pittsburgh there is really only one road that brings you into the city from the airport. Normally this road is backed up, now they are saying that every time a dignitary comes in for the conference the road will be shut down with moving roadblocks and to expect huge delays. The protesters are now saying they are planning to shut down all of the tunnels by parking cars inside the tunnels and just abandoning them. Oh and let's not forget the news media and the circus they bring with them. People are renting their houses for $2,000 a week.
Anybody here ever experienced this circus?

 

When I lived in Norway, Clinton visited Oslo. They welded all manholes shut, many of the city streets were shut down and there were mobs everywhere.

 

I think I would plan on leaving the area during the summit, for sanity's sake!

 

I lived in Oakdale, Pa for little over a year. Since my office was at the airport, I never had to go into the city.

 

Well, it is a pretty common occurrence if you live or work in downtown DC! So many gov't officials and dignitaries here, including the President. Plus the many international conferences, protests, etc. The IMF meetings are probably the ones that cause the most trouble downtown, because there are always protests in addition to the meetings themselves. That, and the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on a Thurs evening at the height of rush hour! We also have the second worst traffic in the country on a normal day.

The burbs aren't immune, either. Obama and Biden came out to my neighborhood burger joint not long ago (Ray's Hellburger) and it caused quite a stir! You do seem to be in a bit more of a pickle, though, with that one road issue. At least here there are multiple routes (for the most part) to get to/from airports, etc. I think I'd advise not going near the city for the duration of the meetings.