Media & Public Relations

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (07/13/2009)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike reports that motorists traveling northbound and southbound on the PA Turnpike's Northeastern Extension (I-476) will be stopped a maximum of 20 minutes at noon on Wednesday, July 15 and again on Thursday, July 16 at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The stoppages will occur south of the Lehigh Tunnel and north of the Mahoning Valley (Exit #74) Interchange.

The general contractor, Walsh Construction, will be excavating the rock slope adjacent to the Lehigh River Bridge and will require three separate 20-minute stoppages during the demolition task. Each stoppage will allow the contractor a window in which to accomplish the rock slope demolition and at the same time protect motorists from potential debris hazards.

State Police will stop traffic south of the Lehigh Tunnel at the Turnpike's Slatington Maintenance facility located at milepost A70.1 (where Mountain Road crosses the Turnpike), and just north of the MahoningValley (Exit #74) Interchange. Motorists wishing to avoid delays should seek alternate routes.

The contractor anticipates the complete rock slope excavation will take several months with future demolition work to be scheduled Monday though Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Motorists traveling the 2.1-mile stretch between the Lehigh Tunnel and the Mahoning Valley Interchange should continue to anticipate traffic delays during the project.

The Turnpike's $101.6 million project to replace the two bridges that cross the Lehigh River, the Lehigh Canal, Pohopoco Creek, and PA State Route 248, the former Lehigh Valley RR and an active Norfolk Southern Railroad line, began construction this year. New bridge construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2011. The Turnpike will shift traffic onto the new bridges, and demolition of the old bridges will begin with completion anticipated in late 2012.

The work is weather sensitive and may be delayed or rescheduled. Travel advisories will be posted on the project website at www.lehighbridge.com as needed.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is committed to distributing complete, accurate and consistent travel information and providing exceptional customer service. Visit the PA Turnpike website at www.paturnpike.com for project updates. Be in the know before you go and call 866.976.TRIP (866.976.8747).

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