The St. Patrick's Day parade will follow a new route this year.

Instead of starting at Mellon Arena, it will begin at 10 this morning at the bus station at Liberty Avenue and 11th Street and proceed down Grant Street to the Boulevard of the Allies, ending at Commonwealth Place.

The skirl of bagpipes will resonate far beyond the parade's path, as most of the routes into Downtown will be closed between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the following spots:

All streets running between Penn and Liberty avenues from 26th Street inbound toward town.

William Penn and Cherry Way to Grant Street from Seventh Avenue to the Boulevard of the Allies

All streets between Ross Street and Grant Street from Sixth Avenue to the Boulevard of the Allies.

All streets between Fort Pitt Boulevard and the Boulevard of the Allies from First Avenue to Stanwix Street.

All streets between Third Avenue and the Boulevard of the Allies from Grant Street to Stanwix Street.

In addition, the Fort Pitt Bridge ramp to Liberty Avenue and the Boulevard of the Allies will be closed. Motorists on I-579, I-279 and Crosstown Boulevard will not be allowed to exit onto Seventh Avenue; there will be no exit from the Liberty Bridge to the Boulevard of the Allies; and the Bedford Avenue ramp to Seventh Avenue will be closed.

And if that's not enough, no candy can be handed out during the parade, and open container laws will be strictly enforced, city police say.

To contain revelers, East Carson Street may be closed between 10th Street and 26th Street throughout the afternoon and evening. There will be 52 additional police officers patrolling the area as well as officers working details at numerous establishments on the South Side and at Station Square. And 20 liquor control enforcement agents will be on the prowl, looking for underage drinkers and bars that serve people under 21.

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