Kathy Liebler

Manager, Public Affairs & Media Relations


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

April 11, 2001

 

TRAVEL ADVISORY:
Turnpike Suspends Most Road Work for Easter Traffic-Volume Upsurge

All maintenance activities on the Pennsylvania Turnpike — and all but one of the ongoing construction projects — will be suspended 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.

Turnpike maintenance restrictions begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday April 12 and end at 6 a.m. on Tuesday April 17. During the weekend, maintenance crews will focus on responding to incidents such as debris removal, customer assistance and roadway emergencies.

Roadway construction work will be put on hold to provide four available lanes on all but a small part of the Turnpike. Lane restrictions will be lifted beginning at 3 p.m. on April 12 through 6 a.m. April 17. A single-lane pattern will remain on an eastbound stretch of the Turnpike between Fort Littleton Interchange #13 and Blue Mountain Interchange #15. The lane restriction begins near the western portal of the Tuscarora Tunnel and continues for 5 miles. Eastbound traffic is expected to be the heaviest around the tunnel on Sunday from noon until 10 p.m. When approaching and driving in the single lane, motorists should turn on their headlights, use both lanes up to the merge point, maintain speed and keep ample distance behind the vehicle ahead.

All other areas will have at least two lanes available in each direction, except for emergency situations. In the event of an emergency, customers will be informed through the Turnpike’s Variable Message Sign and Highway Advisory Radio Systems. In an emergency, call boxes provide a direct link to Turnpike dispatchers in Harrisburg. To obtain assistance, mobile phone users can dial *11.

As the Easter weekend nears, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission reminds motorists to drive cautiously, remain alert to changing patterns, buckle up and take breaks to avoid drowsiness. Extra state troopers will patrol the Turnpike, strictly enforcing traffic and seatbelt laws and aiding stranded motorists.

To further enhance safety during this heavily traveled period, oversized and overweight trucks will be banned on the Turnpike from sundown April 12 through sunrise April 17.

###

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