Media & Public Relations
COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Mimi Doyle
Phone: (610) 239-4117
E-mail: mdoyle@paturnpike.com		 May 14, 2010
Bridge Beam Removal to Close Northeastern Extension Sunday Morning

I-476 will be shut down from Midnight until 6 a.m. between Mid-County and Lansdale
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 bridge that carries Morris Road (SR 2001) over the Turnpike at milepost A27.2 in Upper Gwynedd and Worcester townships, Montgomery County.

At midnight on Saturday, May 15, 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. The Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline will reopen to traffic by 6 a.m. with a northbound single-lane pattern in effect until 8 a.m. Sunday morning (May 16).

Prior to the shut-down at midnight, motorists should be prepared for single-lane traffic patterns within the work zone located between milepost A25-A29. The southbound left lane will be closed at 9 p.m. and the right-lane northbound at 10 p.m. Saturday night.

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

DETOURS
* Traveling southbound on I-476 - Exit at Lansdale Interchange (#31). Turn left onto Sumneytown Pike. At the second 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 to reenter the Turnpike at the Fort Washington Interchange. Travel east on the Pa. Turnpike (I-276) to get to Philadelphia and New Jersey. Travel west on the Pa. Turnpike (I-276) to get to Harrisburg and points west. Motorists bound for I-476 south (Blue Route) to I-76 and I-95 should also follow the Turnpike westbound from Fort Washington, 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, continue northbound on the Northeastern Extension. All traffic will enter the Turnpike at the Mid-County Toll Plaza and continue eastbound on I-276 to the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339). 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 Northeastern Extension - All traffic will exit the Turnpike at the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339) 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

The Turnpike urges motorists to stay alert and travel at posted speed limits through work zones. Speed limits will be enforced and fines increased. For more information visit www.paturnpike.com/ConstructionProjects/mpA20toA30/default.aspx or call the project hotline at 1-877-855-2545. In case of inclement weather, the closure may be rescheduled for the next weekend (May 22-23) with times and detour information still applicable.
 

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