Media & Public Relations
COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Mimi Doyle
Phone: 610-239-4117
E-mail:mdoyle@paturnpike.com		 March 14, 2012
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 Pa. Northeastern Extension (I-476) will be closed in both directions for six hours this weekend between Mid-County (Exit #20) and Lansdale (Exit #31) during removal of steel girders from the bridge that carries Sumneytown Pike (State Route 63) over the Turnpike at milepost A30.6 in Towamencin Township, Montgomery County.
 
At 12:01 a.m. Sunday morning, Mar. 18, all southbound traffic will be diverted off at the Lansdale Interchange. Motorists wishing to travel north from the Mid-County Interchange, or the east/west Turnpike mainline, will be directed to exit I-276 at the Fort Washington Interchange to return to I-476 at Lansdale. The Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline will re-open to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday morning.
 
Prior to the shut-down on Saturday night (Mar. 17), motorists should be prepared for the right lane to be closed 8 p.m. southbound and 9 p.m. northbound when traveling within the established work zone located between milepost A28-A32. The speed limit will be posted at 40 mph until the patterns are lifted by 9 a.m. Sunday morning.  Construction-zone speed limits are enforceable and fines will be doubled.  
 
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.
 
For more information visit www.paturnpike.com/ConstructionProjects/mpA20toA30/index.htm or call the project hotline at 1-877-855-2545. In case of inclement weather, the closure will be rescheduled for March 24-25 with times and detour information still applicable.
 
Turnpike motorists can also get up-to-date travel conditions by calling 866-976-TRIP (8747). This toll-free number gives audio advisories for the region in which you are traveling, including delays and closures. For a snapshot of conditions across the Turnpike, including access to traffic cams, traffic-flow monitors, audio advisories and more, visit the Interactive Travel Map at www.paturnpike.com/webmap.
 
NEW - TRIP Talk streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users on America's First Superhighway. To download the free app, Pa. Turnpike travelers can visit http://www.paturnpike.com/triptalk. Users do not have to create an account, register or sign up with the Turnpike to use TRIP Talk. The app uses your phone's built-in GPS to stream nearby advisories.
 

###