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

June 28, 2002


URGENT TRAVEL ADVISORY:
Closure of Westbound Donegal Ramps Postponed Until July 15
 

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Friday, June 28, 2002) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today announced that the temporary closure of the westbound on and westbound off ramps at the Donegal Interchange (#9/91) in Westmoreland County has been delayed until Monday July 15, 2002. The closure — originally scheduled to begin on Tuesday July 9 — was postponed to allow the construction contractor more time to finish important preparation work at the job site.

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 Thursday, July 25.

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 the work cannot be completed in rain, the closure may be rescheduled in 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.

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