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: Lowman S. Henry, (717) 939-9551 Ext. # 2934                          September 2, 1998

ATTENTION RADIO STATIONS:
Broadcast actualities related to this news
release can be obtained by calling the Turnpike’s
Information Broadcast Service at 1-800-563-5425.

TURNPIKE TRAVELERS: ‘BUCKLE UP’ OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Construction projects halted to accommodate holiday traffic

Harrisburg, PA -- Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest holidays of the year on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. With over 1.6 million vehicles expected to travel on America’s first superhighway this weekend, Turnpike officials are reminding motorists to buckle up and to observe posted speed limits.

To keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible, all construction projects along the entire 506-mile Turnpike system have been suspended from 3:30 P.M. on Thursday (September 3rd) through 6:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 8th. All traffic lanes will be open, however lanes will be narrow in some construction zones, therefore lower speed limits will be posted in those areas.

"This is the last big holiday of the summer season and that means a lot of travelers will be on the Turnpike," said Captain Richard A. Stein of the Pennsylvania State Police. "We urge all motorists to get plenty of rest before driving and to use their seat belts. State law requires children from birth until their first birthday must be buckled in an approved child safety seat in the back seat only and, through age four children must be buckled in the back seat."

Stein said extra State Police patrols will be on duty over the Labor Day weekend to enforce posted speed limits. Turnpike safety and maintenance crews have also been assigned to weekend duty to assist motorists in need.

Over the Labor Day weekend, Farmers’ Markets will be open at the New Stanton, Sideling Hill, Valley Forge and Allentown service plazas. Service plazas along the Turnpike are open 24-hours per day and offer a variety of food services, gift shops, faxes, public phones, restrooms and service station facilities.

If emergencies do arise while driving on the Turnpike, travelers can make use of emergency call boxes that are located at one-mile intervals along the toll road. Help can also be summoned by dialing *11 (star one-one) on a cellular telephone.

Permits for over-dimensional vehicles will not be available from sundown on Thursday, September 3rd through sunrise Wednesday, September 9th. This restriction applies to vehicles exceeding 8 ½ feet in width, 85 feet in length, 13 ½ feet in height and over 100,000 pounds gross weight.

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