Media & Public Relations

HARRISBURG, PA (04/21/2011)(readMedia)-- Easter travelers using the Pennsylvania Turnpike will note the return of toll rates to tickets. The Turnpike announced all toll-ticket machines are now dispensing tickets with rates printed right on them. As a cost-cutting measure, the Turnpike had switched to generic tickets earlier this year, but public opposition led to a reversal of the decision. Generic tickets were temporarily dispensed since Jan. 2 while new ones were produced and distributed to toll plazas. The distribution began at the state's busiest toll plazas in mid-March, and the new tickets were in place at all 36 "ticketed" toll plazas by April 14.

More than 1.5 million vehicles are expected to travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the three-day period from Friday through Sunday, so Turnpike maintenance activities and ongoing construction projects will be suspended to provide maximum use of the roadway during the busy holiday, except where emergency road work is needed.

All planned roadway construction and maintenance work that impacts lanes will be halted beginning at 3 p.m. today, April 21, through 6 a.m. April 26. During the weekend, maintenance crews and the Turnpike's State-Farm Safety Patrol will focus on responding to incidents such as debris removal, customer assistance and roadway emergencies. All areas will have at least two lanes available in each direction, except for emergency situations.

"As the weekend nears, we remind motorists to drive cautiously, remain alert, buckle up and take breaks to avoid drowsiness," said Cpl. Richard Dean of Pa. State Police Troop T, the unit in charge of Turnpike patrols. "Extra state troopers will patrol the Turnpike, strictly enforcing traffic and seatbelt laws and aiding stranded motorists as needed."

In case of an accident, breakdown or medical emergency, motorists should dial *11 (or 1-800-332-3880) to receive aid on the Pa. Turnpike. This call puts you in direct contact with a Traffic Operations Center dispatcher. When you call, be prepared to give your milepost location and direction of travel (i.e., eastbound or westbound). As an alternative, you can also utilize the yellow emergency call boxes located on the shoulder at one-mile intervals to get help.

In the event of emergency-lane closures, the Turnpike will activate its Variable Message Signs and Highway Advisory Radio System (1640 AM) to inform motorists of conditions.

Cpl. Dean encourages holiday travelers to check conditions before they depart. Pennsylvania Turnpike motorists can get real-time information about roadway conditions via the Turnpike Roadway Information Program, or "TRIP," by visiting www.paturnpike.com or calling 1-866-976-TRIP (8747).

To further enhance safety during this heavily traveled period, oversized and overweight trucks will be banned on the Turnpike from sundown April 21 through sunrise April 26.

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