(August 29, 2007) - The Pennsylvania Turnpike announced today that the Allentown Service Plaza, located at milepost 55.9 on the Northeast Extension (Route 476), will close Wednesday, September 5 at 6 a.m. The plaza, available to both north and southbound motorists, was built in the late 1950s and is being demolished in order to make way for a beautiful new, updated service plaza.

The new 21,500 square-foot plaza will include a modern food court with ambient lighting (featuring Hershey’s Ice Cream, Starbuck’s, Cinnabon, Roy Rodgers, Famous Famiglia Philly Cheese Steaks and Bassets Ice Cream), a full service Turkey Hill convenience store, larger rest rooms and touch-free technology. The new building was designed by a Pennsylvania architect and reflects architectural elements common to the local area. Motorists can expect the new Allentown Service Plaza, along with the popular Farmers’ Market to open around Memorial Day 2008.

Northbound travelers should be aware that the next available rest stop and fueling station will be the Hickory Run Service Plaza located at milepost 86. Southbound motorists should be aware that once they pass Hickory Run Service Plaza, the next available rest area and fueling station will be on the mainline Turnpike, westbound at the King of Prussia Service Plaza at milepost 328.4. (The distance from the Hickory Run Service Plaza to the King of Prussia Service Plaza is approximately 70 miles.) If traveling the mainline Turnpike eastbound from the Northeast Extension be aware that there are no service plazas or fueling stations before you reach the Delaware River Bridge that crosses into New Jersey. (The distance between the Hickory Run Service Plaza and the Delaware River Bridge is approximately 92 miles.)

The rebuilding of the Allentown Service Plaza is part of a five-year, $100 million service plaza redevelopment program by HMSHost Corporation of Bethesda, Maryland under a 30-year contract awarded last year.