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

Media Contact:  

Kathy Liebler (717) 939-9551 Ext. 2840
Joe Agnello (724) 755-5262

June 19, 2002

URGENT TRAVEL ADVISORY:

HARRISBURG, PA.   The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today announced that the westbound on and westbound off ramps at the Donegal Interchange (#9/91) in Westmoreland County will be temporarily shut down during a planned closure beginning on Tuesday July 9 at 12:01 a.m.

The ramps will remain closed for 10 days while construction crews demolish the bridge that carries mainline Turnpike traffic over the westbound entry and exit lanes. Some additional ramp work will also be performed. As a result, westbound Turnpike traffic will not be able to exit at the Donegal Interchange, and traffic entering the Turnpike at Donegal will not be able to go west during this closure.

The westbound ramps will reopen by Friday, July 19.

During the closure, eastbound traffic can still use the Donegal Interchange to get on and off the Turnpike.

This work is being completed as a part of the total reconstruction of the Turnpike between milepost 85-94. The $66.8 million project involves a complete rebuild of the roadway and improvements to the interchange. Because this work cannot be completed in rain, the closure may be rescheduled in case of inclement weather.

Detour Information

·        Westbound Turnpike traffic that would typically exit at Donegal should instead exit at Somerset Interchange (#10/110) and follow the orange detour: Somerset Interchange to S.R. 601 South to S.R. 31 West.

·        Cars that would typically enter the Turnpike at Donegal and go west should follow the blue detour: S.R. 31 West to S.R. 982 South to S.R. 119 North, entering the Turnpike at New Stanton (#8/75).

·        Commercial vehicles that would typically enter the Turnpike at Donegal and go west should follow the black detour: S.R. 711 North to S.R. 30 West to Turnpike 66 South (Amos K. Hutchinson Bypass) entering the Turnpike at New Stanton (#8/75).

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 and project-specific construction information are posted on the Turnpike website, www.paturnpike.com.

###

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