Kathy Liebler
                        Director of Public Information


    C   O   M   M   I   S   S   I   O   N                N   E   W   S             R   E   L   E   A   S   E

    Contact: Christina M. Hampton, (610) 279-1645, ext.3785                  February 17, 1998

ATTENTION RADIO STATIONS:
BROADCAST ACTUALITIES RELATIVE TO THIS
NEWS RELEASE CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING
THE TURNPIKE'S INFORMATION BROADCAST
SERVICE AT 1-800-563-5425.

PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE'S HICKORY RUN SERVICE PLAZA PARKING LOTS
UNDERGO MAJOR REHABILITATION AND EXPANSION
Access Restricted Throughout the Project

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Construction is underway to expand and rehabilitate the Pennsylvania Turnpike's Hickory Run Service Plaza parking facilities. Hickory Run Service Plaza, which is on the Turnpike's Northeast Extension (I-476), is located approximately 8 miles south of Pocono Interchange (exit 35) in Carbon County.

Due to construction on the southbound parking lots, southbound trucks will be prohibited access to the service plaza between March 2 and May 19 and "all" southbound traffic will be prohibited access to the plaza the month of April.

The Hickory Run Service Plaza will be open to all vehicles from May 20 until September 9.

Construction on the northbound parking lots will begin after Labor Day, when northbound trucks will be prohibited access to the service plaza from September 9 through October 30 and "all" northbound traffic will be prohibited access from September 9 through September 30.

Executive Director John Durbin said, "We're sorry for any inconvenience this construction may cause our customers but it is necessary to improve access to the service plaza and expand the parking lots. During this time, partial closures of the parking lots are essential to ensure the safety of Turnpike travelers. This will also allow contractors to complete the job more quickly."

The project includes the reconstruction and expansion of the plaza's concrete and bituminous parking lots; installation of storm drainage, storm water management basins and oil/water separators; the reconstruction of the existing ramps; lengthening of the southbound acceleration lane; installation of high mast and conventional lighting; and milling and overlaying a portion of the existing ramps. Concrete median barrier, guide rail, and signs will also be installed. Total cost for rehabilitation and expansion of the Hickory Run Service Plaza parking facilities is $4.6 million.

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         P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676         Phone: (717) 939-9551         Fax: (717) 986-9649