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April 14, 2000

TRAFFIC ADVISORY:
TARGET TIMES SET FOR LIFTING OF EASTBOUND 
SINGLE-LANE PATTERN IN NEW STANTON AREA

A single-lane pattern for eastbound traffic on the Interstate 76/I-70 mainline in the New Stanton area of Westmoreland County is scheduled to remain in effect until midnight Wednesday, April 19. Part of the restricted area is scheduled to be reopened to two lanes as of midnight Saturday, April 15.

The single-lane pattern begins just east of Milepost 74 at the Hempfield Service Plaza and continues past the New Stanton exit ramp at Milepost 75.5 to Milepost 82. In part of the area, from the start of the single-lane pattern east to Milepost 79, two lanes are to be reestablished as of midnight Saturday. The balance of the single-lane pattern is to be lifted late Wednesday.

This current restriction was put into effect Thursday, April 6 to allow the general contractor and subcontractors to repair potholes and other roadway failures that began to appear in the former median. The median is being patched and, in part, resurfaced because it will be used as an eastbound travel lane during reconstruction of the berm-side eastbound lane and southern shoulder.

Eastbound traffic in the New Stanton area originally was diverted to the median in late March as part of stage construction associated with a $49.5 million total reconstruction project between Mileposts 76 and 85.

The Turnpike Commission wants to lift the single-lane pattern in advance of Easter weekend (April 22-23). Westbound traffic has not been restricted.

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