COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE

Contact:

Tom Fox
Phone: 724.755.5260

March 18, 2013

Pennsylvania Turnpike to Close March 23 between Butler Valley and Allegheny Valley Exits

Five-hour, overnight closure is necessary for overhead bridge demolition.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike alerts motorist that the Turnpike (I-76) will be closed westbound and eastbound between the Butler Valley Interchange (Exit 39) and Allegheny Valley Interchange (Exit 48) starting at 11:59 p.m. March 23 until 5 a.m. March 24. Exiting traffic will use these approved detours:

EASTBOUND TRAFFIC Exiting at Butler Valley

Follow Route 8 South (10 miles)

Left ramp to Route 28 North (7.5 miles)

Exit 11 to Route 910 East (0.2 miles)

Left onto Freeport Road to Allegheny Valley Interchange (0.7 miles)

WESTBOUND TRAFFIC Exiting at Allegheny Valley

Follow Freeport Road South (0.7 miles)

Right to Route 910 West (0.5 miles)

Take ramp to Route 28 South (7.5 miles)

Take ramp to Route 8 North to Butler Valley Interchange (10 miles)

Alternate-route cards will be available to exiting travelers at the interchanges during the closure. Expect higher traffic volumes on detour roads 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.

The closure is needed while crews take the down the overhead bridge at milepost 40.2 where Middle Road crosses over the Turnpike in Hampton Township, Allegheny County. The bridge was closed to traffic March 11. A replacement bridge is scheduled for completion in fall 2013. Work schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions and other circumstances.

This work is needed to accommodate the future total reconstruction of Turnpike from milepost 40 to 48. Over the next six years, six overhead bridges will be replaced and the mainline will be reconstructed and widened between the Butler Valley Interchange and Allegheny Valley Interchange. For more information on this project please visit http://www.mp40-48construction.com.

Travelers can get Turnpike traffic alerts by calling 866-976-TRIP (8747) or visiting the live Travel Conditions Map online at www.paturnpike.com/webmap. The Turnpike’s smartphone app, TRIP Talk, streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users so they can keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. To download the free app, visit www.paturnpike.com/triptalk.

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