Contact:

Mimi Lindelow
Media & Public Relations
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
Desk (610) 239-4117

March 17, 2009

King of Prussia, PA (March 10, 2008) – The Pennsylvania Turnpike cautions motorists that a 14-mile stretch of the toll road will be closed in both directions for six hours this weekend between Valley Forge (Exit #326) and Downingtown (Exit #312) to allow a contractor to demolish the bridge that carries local road (Route 252) over the Turnpike in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, all westbound Turnpike traffic will be diverted off at the Valley Forge Interchange, Montgomery County, and all eastbound Turnpike traffic will be diverted at the Downingtown Interchange, Chester County. The PA Turnpike will re-open to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

All motorists exiting the Turnpike system at the Valley Forge and Downingtown Interchanges, including E-ZPass customers, will be handed an alternate-route card at the tollbooth which provides the best route to re-enter the Turnpike. Designated E-ZPass lanes will be disabled and Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be available to help direct motorists.

The detour route between the interchanges is approximately 20 miles and the directions are produced solely as a convenience to the public. Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly. If you require assistance you can call Turnpike Customer service toll-free at 1-800-331-3414. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.

All Westbound Turnpike Traffic MUST EXIT at the Valley Forge Interchange (Exit #326) Take Interstate 76 east(.5 mile) to US Route 202 south (12 miles) US Route 30 west (2.5 miles)to State Route 100 north (5 miles). Reenter the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Downingtown Interchange (#326). Eastbound will be open to traffic.

All Eastbound Turnpike Traffic MUST EXIT at the Downingtown Interchange (Exit #312) Take State Route 100 south (5 miles) to US Route 30 east (2.5 miles) US Route 202 north (12 miles) to Interstate 76 west (.5 mile). Re-enter the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Valley Forge Interchange (#326). Westbound will be open to traffic.

Leading up to the Sunday-morning closure, the contractor will implement single-lane travel restrictions at 6 p.m. westbound and 7 p.m. eastbound, Saturday, March 21. The demolition zone is located at Turnpike milepost 324 (approximately 12 miles east of Downingtown and 2 miles west of Valley Forge). The Valley Forge Service Plaza, located adjacent to the bridge (eastbound) will be closed at 11 p.m. All customers parked at the service plaza will be asked to vacate the premise.

Once all Turnpike traffic is clear of the demolition zone, the contractor will have six hours to complete the demolition and clean-up. Bi-directional, single-lane traffic restrictions will continue after the Turnpike reopens at 6 a.m. for additional construction work within the one mile work zone. All lanes will be open and traffic fully restored by 10 a.m. Sunday morning.

The $4.8 million Valley Forge Road Bridge project is the first of two bridges targeted for replacement as part of the total reconstruction and six-lane widening of the Turnpike from milepost 320 (Future Route 29 Slip Ramps) to milepost 326 (Valley Forge Interchange). Please visit www.paturnpike.com for project-related announcements and updates, including bridge-detour information.

This work is weather sensitive and could be rescheduled in case of precipitation, high winds or lightning. All motorists traveling on this stretch of turnpike are urged to use caution and remain alert for slow-moving or stopped traffic, and to travel at posted speed limits through all highway work zone areas.

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