Media & Public Relations
COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Mimi Doyle
Phone: 610-239-4117
E-mail:mdoyle@paturnpike.com		 March 30, 2012
Rescheduled Overhead Sign Bridge Work 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 (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 two overhead sign bridge frames at milepost A20.3 and A21.6 in Plymouth Township, Montgomery County.
 
At 12:01 a.m. Sunday morning, April 1 (weather permitting), all southbound traffic will be diverted off at the Lansdale Interchange. Motorists wishing to travel north from the Mid-County Interchange, or the 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 reopen to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday.
 
Walsh Construction will perform the work, rescheduled from last weekend due to weather, from the travel lanes at the southern end of the total reconstruction work zone, located less than one mile north of the I-476/I-276 junction. There will be no single-lane patterns required prior to the shut-down; however, before and after the closure the posted 55 mph speed limits remain in effect. 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 (State Route 63-east). Travel 1.5 miles and turn right onto Welsh Road (State Route 63-east) to U.S. 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 Interchange (Exit #20) 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 (State Route 63-west) and follow the signs to reenter 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 (State Route 63-west) and follow the signs to reenter 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 the case of inclement weather, the work will be rescheduled for Sunday, April 15.
 
Turnpike motorists can 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.
 

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