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

Contact:  

Kathy Liebler, (717) 939-9551 Ext. # 2840

April 18, 2000

TURNPIKE SUSPENDS MOST ROAD WORK FOR EASTER
TRAFFIC-VOLUME UPSURGE

All maintenance activities on the Pennsylvania Turnpike — and almost all of the ongoing construction projects — will be limited to provide maximum use of the roadway during the busy Easter holiday. More than 1 million vehicles are expected to travel the Turnpike in the three-day period from Friday through Sunday.

Maintenance restrictions will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday April 20 and end at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25. During the weekend, Turnpike maintenance crews will focus on responding to incidents such as debris removal, customer assistance and roadway emergencies.

In addition to the maintenance limitations, road construction work will be minimized to provide four available lanes on all but a small part of the Turnpike. One single-lane pattern will be in effect on a five-mile eastbound stretch between Willow Hill Interchange #14 and Blue Mountain Interchange #15. All other areas will have available at least two lanes in each direction, except for any emergency situations. Turnpike officials also said, single lane patterns may be necessary from mileposts 75 to 82, eastbound, from New Stanton to Donegal due to recent road construction and drainage problems. Efforts are underway to restore the area to two lanes before the Easter weekend. In the event of emergency lane restrictions, customers will be informed through the Turnpike’s Variable Message Sign and Highway Advisory Radio Systems.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission reminds motorists to drive cautiously, remain alert to changing traffic patterns, buckle up and take breaks to avoid drowsiness. Motorists can take breaks at any of the Turnpike's 22 service plazas. All service plazas are open 24-hours a day, seven days a week and offer a variety of food and services such as fueling facilities, rest rooms, telephones, ATMs, gift shops and travel information.

In an emergency, call boxes provide a direct link to Turnpike dispatchers in Harrisburg. To obtain assistance, cellular phone users can dial *11. Additional State Police and Turnpike maintenance forces will patrol the Turnpike, strictly enforcing traffic and seat belt laws and aiding stranded motorists. Oversized and overweight vehicles (8 1/2 feet wide, 85 feet long, 13 1/2 feet high, and 100,000 pounds gross weight) will be banned on the Turnpike from sundown April 20 through sunrise April 25.

###

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