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

November 1, 2002

TRAVEL ADVISORY

Eastbound Single-Lane Traffic Pattern 
In Effect Next Week Near Somerset

HARRISBURG, PA. (Friday, November 01, 2002) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike announced today that an eastbound-only single-lane pattern near the Somerset Interchange (#10/110), Somerset County, will be in place beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 6 a.m. until Friday, Nov. 8 at approximately 10 a.m.

The 6-mile-long lane restriction will begin at milepost 109 — about 1 mile prior to the eastbound Somerset off ramp. The pattern will end at milepost 115, about 3 miles beyond the South Somerset service plaza. The speed limit through the single-lane pattern will be 40 miles per hour. Motorists should be aware of the likelihood of delays in this area next week. Eastbound motorists approaching Somerset should look out for slow-moving or stopped traffic, especially during a.m. and p.m. peaks.

During this single-lane closure, crews are shifting the temporary concrete barrier in preparation for the next construction stage. Eastbound traffic will be switched onto the newly reconstructed section of roadway between milepost 109-115 to allow the reconstruction of the next segment to begin. Because this work cannot be safely completed in inclement weather, the single-lane closure may have to be rescheduled.

The westbound Turnpike in this area will be open to two lanes of traffic during next week’s switch. However, a westbound single-lane closure will be necessary during the week of Nov. 18 to switch westbound traffic onto the rebuilt westbound stretch in preparation for the next construction phase.

This work is being completed as a part of the total reconstruction of the Turnpike between milepost 109-122. The $94.3 million project involves a complete rebuild of the roadway as well as expansion of and improvements to the Somerset Interchange ramps and Somerset service plaza parking lots. The project is scheduled for completion in November, 2004.

For up-to-date information, the Turnpike advises approaching motorists to tune car radios to 1640AM or 1610AM when alerted by variable message boards. In addition, real-time traffic conditions are posted on the Turnpike website, www.paturnpike.com. Project-specific information is available by clicking on the “construction/expansion” button and selecting “Somerset Reconstruction.” Four real-time traffic cams can be viewed under “Visual Traffic Report.” In addition, a toll-free project hotline is now open at 1-866-822-6215.

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