Media & Public Relations

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (07/16/2009)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is advising motorists that early Sunday morning, July 19 between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m., the Northeastern Extension will be CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC between the Mid-County (#20) and Lansdale (#31) Interchanges and detours in effect. The contractor will remove three sets of steel girders from the southern section of the bridge that carries DeKalb Pike (SR 0202), Whitpain Township, over the Turnpike at milepost A23.42. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on DeKalb Pike; however, motorists should expect slow moving traffic and intermittent stoppages during the closure.

Saturday night, July 18 at 11 p.m. motorists traveling northbound should be prepared for a left-lane closure when approaching the construction zone. All lanes on the Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline will re-open to traffic at 6 a.m.

Turnpike maintenance personnel and State Police will be positioned at the Lansdale, Mid-County, Norristown, and Ft. Washington Interchanges with information to assist motorists. Changeable message signs are currently in place and the Highway Advisory Radio (1640 AM) will be activated to provide the traveling public with updated information regarding closures and detours.

MOTORISTS CAN TAKE THE FOLLOWING DETOURS:

Traveling southbound on I-476 Northeast Extension intending to:

Go east or west on I-276 East-West Turnpike

Exit at Lansdale interchange. After the toll booths turn left onto Sumneytown Pike. Follow signs for Route 63 east until you reach Route 309. Take Route 309 South to the Fort Washington Turnpike interchange

Continue south on I-476

Exit at Lansdale interchange. After the toll booths turn left onto Sumneytown Pike. Follow signs for Route 63 east until you reach Route 309. Take Route 309 South to the Fort Washington Turnpike interchange. Take the Turnpike west and exit at the Mid-County interchange to I-476 south

Traveling northbound on I-476 intending to continue on the Northeast Extension

Take the ramp for I-276 East and head east on the Turnpike. Exit at the Fort Washington (339) Interchange and head north on Route 309. Turn left on Route 63 and follow Route 63 west to the Turnpike's Lansdale Interchange

Traveling either direction on I-276 intending to head north on the Northeast Extension

Exit at the Fort Washington (339) Interchange and head north on Route 309. Turn left on Route 63 and follow Route 63 west to the Turnpike's Lansdale Interchange

*If the forecast predicts inclement weather the CLOSURE will be re-scheduled for the following weekend (July 26) with times and operation information still applicable.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is committed to distributing complete, accurate and consistent travel information and providing exceptional customer service. Please call the project hotline at 1-877-855-2545 on a 24-hour basis or visit http://www.paturnpike.com/ConstructionProjects/mpA20toA30/index.htm .

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission urges the motoring public to stay alert and to travel at posted speed limits through all highway work zone areas. Speed limits will be enforced and fines doubled.

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