Media & Public Relations

Roadway Resurfacing on Pa. Turnpike's Interstate 276 Begins Next Week in Bucks County

Nighttime paving, reduced speeds and sign installation may cause delays between Exits 351-359

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists using Interstate 276 between the Bensalem (Exit #351) Interchange and Delaware River Bridge (Exit #359) to be prepared for overnight lane closures with reduced speeds of 40 miles per hour starting next week when overnight repaving and sign installation work will be performed weeknights during off-peak hours until the project is completed by October 2012.

The Turnpike Commission determined it was necessary to resurface an additional 4.5-mile section of I-276 and in March awarded the $2.9 million project to Blooming Glen Contractors, Inc., Blooming Glen, Pa. Earlier this year, another contract was awarded to resurface the Turnpike mainline between exits 343-351 and that project is currently in construction.

This week, the contractor began installing advance warning signs and traffic control devices to establish a safe work zone between milepost 351-359 in preparation for the first stage of the resurfacing project between milepost 353.4-355.2, scheduled to be completed on or before June 15. The remainder of the resurfacing and sign installation work will be completed by October 2012.

All work is taking place on the Turnpike mainline (I-276) approximately two miles east of the Bensalem Interchange to the Delaware River Toll Plaza, between milepost 353.4 and 359 in Bucks County. The project provides for the milling and paving of the existing bituminous travel lanes, concrete pavement repairs, work on median and shoulder storm-water inlets, and concrete barrier and guiderail improvements. The contract also provides for mainline and overhead sign installation between Bensalem and the Delaware River Bridge.

Because work requires the contractor to restrict mainline traffic, ALL work will occur during off-peak (nighttime) hours with reduced work-zone speeds of 40 mph. Construction-zone speed limits are enforceable, and fines will be doubled. The contactor’s schedule is weather dependent and subject to change.

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.

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.

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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