Media & Public Relations

Closure eastbound on Pa. Turnpike between Breezewood
and Carlisle at 6 p.m., Sept. 19

Crews need to remove overturned tractor trailer
at milepost 215 in Cumberland County.

A 65-mile section of the eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike will be closed tonight for an emergency recovery operation between the Breezewood Exit (#161) and the Carlisle Exit (#226) from 6 p.m. until approximately 8 p.m.

The closure is needed to allow crews to safely remove a tractor trailer that overturned this morning at milepost 215. The rig landed outside the travel lanes and is not presently blocking traffic, but the right lane will be closed throughout the afternoon to safely remove the contents of the trailer. The decision to close the roadway at 6 p.m. was made to complete the recovery and cleanup operation tonight when traffic is lighter. Westbound traffic will not be affected.

The recommended detour for eastbound motorists: Exit at Breezewood (#161) take Route 30 west (.3 miles) to I-70 east (I-70 exit MD #26) (48 miles) to I-81 north (58 miles) to Route 11 south and reenter at Carlisle Interchange (#226). Alternate-route cards will be available to exiting travelers at Breezewood during the closure. Expect higher traffic volumes on detour roads during the closure. It is estimated that the detour will add 30-45 minutes to the trip. Message boards will be placed to inform customers of the closure, and Highway Advisory Radio broadcasts at station 1640 AM also are being used to inform travelers.

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, visit the Interactive Travel Map at www.paturnpike.com/webmap. An innovative smartphone app, “TRIP Talk,” streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users on America's First Superhighway. To download the free app, visit www.paturnpike.com/triptalk. Users do not have to create an account, register or sign up to use TRIP Talk. The app uses your phone's built-in GPS to stream nearby advisories.

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