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Media Contact:  

Carl DeFebo, 717.939.9551 Ext. 2934

June 7, 2002

TRAVEL ADVISORY:
Road Work Will Limit Turnpike to Single Lane Near Donegal

HARRISBURG, PA. (Friday, June 7, 2002) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today announced that sections of the roadway near the Donegal Interchange (#9/91) in Westmoreland County will be limited to a single lane next week due to the start of a construction project.

The lane restrictions will occur as follows:

·        Eastbound Turnpike: Single-lane pattern begins Sunday, June 9 at midnight until Friday, June 14 at 7 a.m. (103 hours).

·        Westbound Turnpike: Single-lane pattern begins Wednesday, June 12 at 4 a.m. until Wednesday, June 12 at midnight (20 hours).

The site of both single-lane patterns is from milepost 90 to 94. This area begins west of the Donegal Interchange and continues 3 miles east of that interchange. Motorists approaching Donegal on these days should be aware of the potential for slow-moving or stopped traffic that may occur in or prior to the single-lane pattern.

During these lane closures, construction crews will be placing temporary concrete barrier. Because some of the work cannot be completed in rain, the single-lane condition could be rescheduled in case of inclement weather.

The work is a part of the total reconstruction of the Turnpike between milepost 85-94 in Westmoreland County. The $66.8 million project involves a complete rebuild of the roadway. It marks the first time this segment of Turnpike has been replaced from the ground up since it opened more than 61 years ago. The 9-mile project is to be completed in the fall of 2005.

Dick Corp., Pittsburgh, is providing construction management services for the job, and the general contractor is New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., New Enterprise, Pa. Other work that will occur as part of this project includes a completely new interchange configuration consisting of a new bridge, new on and off ramps, and new lighting as well as the construction of a new third eastbound lane from milepost 89 to 94.

For up-to-date information, the Turnpike advises approaching motorists to tune car radios to 1640AM when so alerted by variable message signs. In addition, real-time traffic conditions are posted on the Turnpike website, www.paturnpike.com.

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