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May 23, 2001

EFFORTS MADE TO KEEP MEMORIAL DAY TRAVELERS
SAFE ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE

HARRISBURG, PA ¾ The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is reminding motorists to obey the posted speed limits, buckle up, and be on the look out for aggressive drivers during Memorial Day Weekend. The State Police will be patrolling the Turnpike in full force this weekend.

"We expect nearly 2 million vehicles will use the Turnpike this weekend," said Pennsylvania State Police (Troop T) Captain David Points. "We are placing additional Troop T officers on duty Memorial Day Weekend to help insure the safety of Turnpike travelers and to enforce the traffic laws."

All maintenance activity and road construction work on the Turnpike will be modified between 3:00 p.m. Thursday, May 24^th through 6:00 a.m. Wednesday May 30^th allowing all lanes to be open to traffic (except in emergency situations). In the event of emergency lane restrictions, the Turnpike will activate its Variable Message Sign and Highway Advisory Radio Systems (1640 am) to inform motorists of any problems on the roadway. During the weekend, increased maintenance crews will respond to incidents such as customer assistance and roadway emergencies.

Over-dimensional vehicles (over 8-1/2 feet in width, 85 feet in length, 13-1/2 feet in height and 100,000 pounds gross weight) will not be allowed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike from sundown Thursday, May 24^th to sunrise Wednesday, May 30^th.

Turnpike customers can stop at any of the Turnpike’s 22 service plazas for a refreshing break. These plazas are open 24 hours a day and offer a variety of food and drink choices. Travelers are reminded that the Turnpike’s Farmers’ Markets will be open. The markets are located at Allentown (north and southbound on the Northeastern Extension), Valley Forge (eastbound only), Sideling Hill (east and westbound), and New Stanton (westbound). These markets feature fresh, in-season produce, along with homemade pastries, jellies, and jams.

Travelers can call the Turnpike’s toll-free customer assistance line at 1-(800)-331-3414 for roadway, traffic and weather conditions before leaving for their intended destination. Also, motorists can browse the Turnpikes web page at www.paturnpike.com for pertinent information on travel, construction and other Turnpike news.

If motorists require assistance while traveling on the Turnpike, emergency call boxes are located at every one-mile interval along the entire roadway. Cellular phone users can dial *11 to receive needed emergency aid.

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