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:  Carl DeFebo, (717) 939-9551 Ext.2934

February 17, 2000



RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT RESTARTS:
Single-Lane Eastbound Pattern May Cause Intermittent Delays

Beginning Monday, Feb. 21, the Pennsylvania Turnpike will resume reconstruction work at a project site between Interchange 14 and 15 in Franklin County. At 7 a.m. Monday, crews will begin to set up a one-lane pattern for eastbound traffic from milepost 192 to milepost 197 west of the Kittatinny Tunnel. Eastbound traffic will remain in a single lane until just prior to Memorial Day.

During this time, crews will begin to remove the existing eastbound roadway, re-grade the roadbed, and lay down seven miles of new pavement.

Both westbound lanes will remain open in their present pattern throughout this construction phase.

Traffic volumes are expected to be heaviest for eastbound traffic in the single-lane pattern between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Sundays.

Eastbound motorists travelling on this section of highway are urged to stay alert and be aware of changing traffic patterns and potential stoppages.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure that traffic flows freely and safely through the project area," said Traffic Engineering Manager Timothy M. Scanlon, P.E. "As long as people drive sensibly through the construction zone and obey posted restrictions, we can minimize and hopefully avoid any severe problems."

This project is a part of the total reconstruction of a 13-mile stretch of the 60-year old Turnpike. Last year, crews rebuilt the westbound lanes from milepost 191 to 197. The 13-mile project — which should be finished by August 2001 — is presently about one-quarter of the way complete.

For up-to-date information when approaching the work zone, the Turnpike advises motorists to tune to its permanent Highway Advisory Radio station at 1640AM when alerted by signs. In addition, a temporary station, 530AM, has been set up for those travelling within the construction zone. To get the most current information on conditions across the Pennsylvania Turnpike, motorists can also call the customer service line at 1-800-331-3414 or visit www.paturnpike.com on the worldwide web.

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