Kathy Liebler |
C O M M I S S I O N N E W S R E L E A S E
Contact: Lowman S. Henry (717) 939-9551
Ext. # 2934
May 21, 1997
SUMMER DRIVING SEASON GETS UNDERWAY
PA Turnpike Ready for Memorial Day Travelers
Harrisburg, PA
-- The summer driving season gets underway on the Pennsylvania
Turnpike this weekend with over 1.4 million vehicles expected to
travel on America's first superhighway. Additional state police,
safety and maintenance patrols will be on duty and four-lane
traffic patterns will be in effect for most of the Turnpike
throughout the Memorial Day weekend.
"We encourage travelers to
allow plenty of time for their trips and encourage frequent rest
stops to prevent drowsy driving," said Turnpike Executive
Director John T. Durbin. "The Turnpike's 22 service plazas
will be open throughout the holiday weekend as will our four
Farmers' Markets and two Pennsylvania-Made crafts centers."
Memorial Day weekend is one of
the Turnpike's busiest travel holidays. To keep traffic flowing
smoothly, all maintenance projects requiring lane closures will
be suspended from 3:30 P.M. on Thursday, May 22nd thru 6:00 A.M.
on Wednesday, May 28th. Two lanes of traffic in both directions
will be available throughout the holiday weekend the entire
length of the Turnpike except between milepost A-82 south of
Wilkes-Barre Exit # 36 and milepost A-90 south of the Wyoming
Valley Interchange where highway construction will limit traffic
to one lane in each direction. "We have scheduled
additional personnel to patrol the road to assist in debris
removal, call box assistance and to handle any emergency
situation," said John A. Boschi, Director of Maintenance.
"These extra maintenance patrols will ensure our ability to
respond to any situation quickly and effectively."
Captain Richard A. Stein of the
Pennsylvania State Police Troop T said drowsy driving is a major
problem, particularly during the first holiday weekend of the
summer season when many motorists are not used to long distance
driving. "We urge motorists to get plenty of rest and to
obey all speed limits when driving on the Pennsylvania
Turnpike," said Stein.
He also advised motorists to be
careful when driving near large trucks. "Many people don't
realize that all truck drivers have a blind spot on all four
sides of their rig where they can't see smaller vehicles passing
them or travelling nearby," Stein explained. "It is
important for drivers of smaller vehicles to keep some distance
between themselves and large trucks and, when passing, do so as
quickly as posted speed limits will allow."
Turnpike travelers finding
themselves in need of assistance are always close to an emergency
call box. Call boxes are placed at one mile intervals throughout
the Turnpike system. During emergency situations travelers should
use the call boxes to alert the Turnpike's communications center
to the problem. This can be done by pressing the button
indicating the service needed, such as fire, police or ambulance.
The communications center will respond by sending the appropriate
assistance to the scene. Travelers with cellular phones can also
dial *11 to contact the communications center, which is on duty
24-hours a day, seven days a week, to request emergency aid.
Agriculture is Pennsylvania's
largest industry. When taking a break from Turnpike driving,
travelers are urged to pick up some of the Keystone State's
bounty at Farmers' Markets located at the Allentown, Valley
Forge, Sideling Hill and New Stanton service plazas. In season
fruits and vegetables are available at the Farmers' Markets
weekends from now through November, weather permitting.
Travelers can also now purchase
authentic Pennsylvania-Made Crafts at craft centers located at
the Zelienople and North Neshaminy service plazas. The crafts
centers showcase the work of over 100 of Pennsylvania's top craft
and folk artists. The shelves are stocked with a wide variety of
original items that include something for every taste. The craft
centers are open Wednesday thru Sunday from 9 A.M. until 5 P.M.
For a complete guide to the many
services and conveniences available at the 22 multi-concept
services plazas along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, stop in any
restaurant or service station along the Turnpike and pick up the
Summer 1997 edition of the Turnpike Traveler. This free
publication includes a Turnpike Traveler Guide to help you map a
memorable trip along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
As always, safety and
convenience are the top priority of the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Commission this holiday weekend. The Commission wishes all
travelers a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. And remember,
stay awake -- stay alive!
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P.O. Box
67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676
Phone: (717) 939-9551 Fax: (717)
986-9649