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PA TURNPIKE PREPARES FOR
AMERICA’S 227TH BIRTHDAY
HARRISBURG, PA –
Well over 4.5 million customers are expected to use the Pennsylvania
Turnpike as they travel to their destinations this Fourth of July
weekend. Turnpike officials are reminding motorists to use extra caution
as they drive across the Commonwealth.
Chief Executive Officer Joseph G. Brimmeier said, “Independence
Day falls on a Friday this year which translates into a long weekend
for most travelers. We urge customers to make safety the priority
as they drive all Pennsylvania roadways.”
In order to accommodate motorists, all travel lanes of the Turnpike
are open, with construction and maintenance activity suspended Friday,
June 27th through 6 a.m. Monday, July 7. Additionally, there will
be increased Pennsylvania State Police and safety patrols throughout
the entire holiday period. Troopers will enforce the State’s
traffic laws and all Turnpike safety officials will be available to
assist motorists.
Brimmeier reminded motorists that such holiday weekends are an ideal
time to take advantage of the Turnpike’s E-ZPass program. “With
increased traffic over the holiday, our E-ZPass customers will enjoy
the ease and convenience the technology offers, avoiding backups and
delays at toll lanes.”
To sign up for E-ZPass or obtain more information about the program,
customers can call 1-877-736-6727 or visit the Turnpike’s website
at www.paturnpike.com.
Commanding Officer of PSP Troop T Captain David K. Points said, “We
are taking several proactive steps over the holiday weekend and are
fully prepared to deal with all emergencies.” He reminded motorists
to pull over to a safe area before using cell phones and emphasized
there will be state and local sobriety checkpoints in the vicinity
of some Turnpike interchanges.
Officials urged motorists get plenty of rest before embarking on a
journey, have their cars checked before leaving home and make frequent
rest stops at any of the Turnpike’s 21 multi-concept service
plazas, all open 24/7, offering a variety of food and services. Customers
can call the Turnpike’s toll-free customer assistance line at
1-800-331-3414 to check on the latest roadway, traffic and weather
information.
If an emergency occurs, travelers can call for help
by using the Emergency Call Boxes located at one-mile intervals along
the entire 531-mile roadway, or call star 1-1 (*11) or 1-800-332-3880
on their cell phones. If traffic delays occur, motorists can turn
to 1640 AM for travel updates and watch for Variable Message Signs
stationed along the highway.
While traveling over the holiday, customers can visit the Turnpike’s
Farmers’ Markets now open featuring fresh, in-season produce
as well as homemade pastries, jams and jellies. The markets are located
on the Northeastern Extension at the Allentown Service Plaza (accessible
both north and southbound at milepost 55.9), and on the mainline Turnpike
at the Valley Forge (eastbound only, milepost 324.6), Sideling Hill
(eastbound and westbound, milepost 172.3) and New Stanton (westbound
only, milepost 77.6) Service Plazas.
Pointers For Motorists
Now that the summer travel season is in full swing, the Turnpike offers
these tips to help hasten holiday and rush-hour traffic at the toll
plazas:
• DISPERSE ON APPROACH:
Be sure to spread out and use every available lane as you move toward
a toll plaza. Quickly survey all lanes, and choose the shortest queue
(that you can safely access without cutting someone off). Outside
lanes at the far left and right tend to be underused. Make sure that
you check the traffic approaching from behind before changing lanes
at toll plazas.
• BE READY TO PAY:
Cash customers, have toll and ticket in hand — and window rolled
down — before stopping at the booth to pay. Once the transaction
is complete, immediately pull away. Do not pause at the booth as this
slows down traffic at the rear.
• SIGN UP FOR E-ZPASS:
You don’t have to be a daily Turnpike commuter to get the benefits
of E-ZPass. Holiday travelers can also experience the convenience
of the technology allowing customers to pay tolls electronically without
having to stop to exchange tickets or cash. To sign up, call 1-800-PENN-PASS
or visit www.paturnpike.com.
• TUNE TO RADIO 1640AM:
Important traffic advisories and updates will be broadcast on the
Turnpike’s Highway Advisory Radio frequency at 1640am. As you
approach any Turnpike exit, be sure to tune in for vital information
and alerts.
Motorists who will be driving the Turnpike this holiday period are
reminded to be alert for stopped or slow moving traffic.
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