Media & Public Relations

HARRISBURG, PA (07/15/2009)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike advises motorists traveling eastbound and westbound on the PA Turnpike (I-76) to expect slow moving traffic and possible stoppages starting Thursday, July 16 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. until the end of July. Traffic paces of up to 15-minutes will occur between the Blue Mountain (Exit 201) and Gettysburg (Exit 236) Interchanges for rock slope excavation.

The general contractor, Hempt Brothers, Inc., Camp Hill PA, will be excavating bulk rock as part of the $11.8 million ramp reconstruction and ramp-bridge replacement at the Carlisle Interchange, CumberlandCounty. This work is part of the total reconstruction and six-lane widening of the mainline between milepost 215 and 221.

The contractor will require one 15-minute traffic pace a day to be conducted at random times between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Thursdays to provide a brief window to safely complete the rock slope demolition without jeopardizing motorists or workers.

State Police will pace traffic between mileposts 201 and 236 on the Turnpike mainline and all traffic entering at the Carlisle Interchange (MP 226) will be stopped. The contractor anticipates the complete rock excavation will continue through the end of July. The Turnpike conducts pacing maneuvers in certain situations as an alternative to total stoppages.

Motorists traveling between the Blue Mountain and Gettysburg Interchanges should continue to anticipate traffic restrictions and to avoid delays should seek alternate routes until the scheduled completion date in August 2010. The work is weather sensitive and may be delayed or rescheduled.

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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