COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE

Contact:

Mimi Doyle
Public Information Manager – East
Phone: 610-239-4117 (desk)

June 19, 2013

Mid-Day Traffic Stoppages to Impact Travel on I-476 June 25-26 in Carbon County

Traffic Paces required during excavation for the Route 903 Interchange Project between Exits 74 and 95.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission reports that motorists traveling on the Northeastern Extension (I-476) north from Mahoning Valley (Exit #74) and south from Pocono (Exit #95) will experience slow-moving traffic paces and stoppages beginning next week for controlled blasting operations. The weekday bi-directional traffic restrictions will take place June 25 and 26 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and continue Mondays through Thursdays for approximately two months.
The general contractor building the All-Electronic Interchange (AEI), where State Route 903 crosses I-476 at milepost A87, will begin excavating for the new ramps the week of June 24. Traffic paces and one stoppage of up to 20 minutes are needed to safely complete blasting operations without jeopardizing worker and motorist safety. The daytime blast is scheduled around 12 p.m. but may be conducted anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Turnpike Maintenance personnel and Pennsylvania State Police will stop motorists traveling northbound at the Mahoning Valley Interchange (Exit #74) and southbound at the Pocono Interchange (Exit #95) then begin a slow-moving traffic pace (approximately 25 mph), bringing traffic to a complete stop northbound at milepost A85 and southbound at milepost A89 in advance of the blast zone. Motorists leaving the Hickory Run Service Plaza to continue northbound on I-476 will be stopped on the ramp.

The Route 903 All Electronic Interchange (AEI) project – funded wholly by toll revenues without any state or federal tax dollars – is being built by New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc., of New Enterprise, Pa. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission awarded the $22.4 million contract to build the new interchange in January. The E-ZPass Only Interchange (new Exit #87) is located nine miles south of the Pocono Interchange (Exit #95) and 13 miles north of the Mahoning Valley Interchange (Exit #74) and is scheduled to be operational by fall of 2014.

Motorists traveling the 21-mile stretch of I-476 between Mahoning Valley and the Pocono’s, should continue to anticipate traffic restrictions for the duration of the project. To avoid delays over the next two-months of scheduled weekday stoppages, motorists are urged to seek alternate routes. The work is weather sensitive and may be delayed or rescheduled.

The contractor’s anticipated weekly blasting schedule and periodic travel advisories will be posted on the project website at: www.paturnpike.com/constructionprojects/RT903_All_Electronic_Interchange.

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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