COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE

Contact:

Tom Fox
Phone: 724.755.5260

August 24, 2011

Bridge-Beam Placement to Close Pa. Turnpike between Bedford and Breezewood

All traffic to be detoured for more than five hours starting late Saturday evening

NEW STANTON, PA (08/24/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) cautions motorists that a 16-mile stretch of the Turnpike between Bedford (Exit 146) and Breezewood (Exit 161) will be closed in both directions from 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 through 5 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28 to allow for the placement of bridge beams at milepost 155, weather permitting.

The bridge, which was demolished in April, is located over the PTC mainline in West Providence Township, Bedford County. It is being replaced to accommodate a future Turnpike widening and reconstruction project.

Alternate-route cards will be available to exiting travelers at the Bedford and Breezewood Interchanges during the closure. Message boards will be placed to inform customers of the closure, and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) broadcasts at station 1640 AM also are being used to inform travelers.

Westbound drivers will be advised to exit at Breezewood (Exit 161), take US Route 30 West (18.5 miles) to US Route 220 North (2.5 Miles) to US Route 220 South (.2 miles). Motorists can reenter the Turnpike at the Bedford Interchange (Exit 146).

Eastbound drivers will be advised to exit at Bedford (Exit 146), take US Route 220 North (.2 miles) to US Route 220 South (2.5 miles) to US Route 30 East (18.5 miles). Motorist can reenter the Turnpike at the Breezewood Interchange (Exit 161)

Expect higher traffic volumes on detour roads during the closure.

Turnpike travelers can get up-to-date information by calling 866.976.TRIP (or 866.976.8747). This toll-free number gives audio advisories for the region in which you are traveling, including delays and closures due to accidents or weather. To check conditions before you hit the road, the Turnpike's Interactive Travel Map at www.paturnpike.com/webmap delivers a snapshot of conditions across the Turnpike, including web cams, at-a-glance traffic-flow status, weather conditions, audio advisories and more.

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