Planning to take part in St. Patty's Day festivities Saturday in the South Side? Well, if you're looking for somewhere to park in the crowded entertainment district, you're in luck: Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced today free parking and shuttle service for the day.

A free shuttle will operate from noon, Sat. March 16, to 4 a.m. Sun., March 17, in 15 minute intervals between Second Avenue, Downtown, and the East Carson Street Corridor, South Side. Parking will also be free in the Pittsburgh Parking Authority's Second Avenue lot at the 10th Street Bridge, where the shuttle will operate down the Carson Street corridor to the South Side Works. There will be five taxi stands and 10 shuttle stops along the route and the lot has 800 spaces.

The pilot program is an initiative of the Pittsburgh Sociable City Plan as part of the city's contract with the Responsible Hospitality Institute to manage nightlife in the South Side.

A map of the shuttle route and taxi stands can be found here.