Media & Public Relations


COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Mimi Doyle
Phone: 610-239-4117 or 610-952-1522
April 29, 2010
Removal of Bridge Beams to Close Northeastern Extension for Six Hours Early Sunday

I-476 will be shut down from Midnight until 6 a.m. between Mid-County and Lansdale
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (04/29/2010)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions motorists that an 11-mile stretch of the Northeastern Extension will be closed in both directions for six hours this weekend between Mid-County (Exit #20) and Lansdale (Exit #31) on I-476 to remove steel girders from the northern section of the bridge that carries DeKalb Pike (Route 202) over the Turnpike at milepost A27 in Whitpain Township, Montgomery County.

At midnight Saturday, May 1, all southbound traffic will be diverted off at the Lansdale Interchange. Motorists wishing to travel northbound will be directed to exit at the Fort Washington Interchange to return to I-476 at Lansdale. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on DeKalb Pike during the demolition. However, motorists should expect slow moving traffic and intermittent stoppages during the closure. All lanes on the Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline will re-open to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Lansdale, Mid-County, and Norristown Interchanges to assist motorists. Motorists can tune to 1640 AM for detour information and traffic conditions or call the Turnpike Roadway Information line at 866.976.8747. Changeable message signs are will also provide the traveling public with updated information regarding closures and detours. Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.


MOTORISTS CAN TAKE THE FOLLOWING DETOURS:

Traveling southbound on I-476 EXIT at Lansdale Interchange (Exit #31) - turn left onto Sumneytown Pike and at the 2nd light turn left onto Forty Foot Road (SR 63-east). Travel 1.5 miles and turn right onto Welsh Road (SR 63-east) to US Route 309-south and enter the Ft. Washington Interchange to travel PA I-276 to:

• East to Philadelphia and NJ

• West to Harrisburg & I-476 south (Blue Route) to I-76 and I-95 exiting the Turnpike at the Mid-County (Exit #20) Interchange to continue southbound on I-476.

Traveling northbound on I-476 (Blue Route) from I-76 and I-95 to continue northbound on the Northeast Extension – all traffic will enter the Turnpike at the Mid-County Toll Plaza and continue eastbound on I-276 to the Fort Washington (Exit #339) Interchange. Exit the Turnpike and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (Route 63-west) and follow the signs to re-enter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange.

Traveling east or west on I-276 to travel north on the Northeast Extension – all traffic will exit the Turnpike at the Fort Washington (Exit #339) Interchange and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (Route 63-west) and follow the signs to re-enter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange

If the forecast predicts inclement weather the CLOSURE will be re-scheduled for the following weekend (May 8-9) with times and operation information still applicable.

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.

For more information please visit: http://www.paturnpike.com/ConstructionProjects/mpA20toA30/index.htm or call the project hotline at 1-877-855-2545 on a 24-hour basis, Sunday through Saturday.
 

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