COMMISSION NEWS RELEASE

Contact:

Renee Vid Colborn
Phone: 717-920-7507

August 20, 2013

PA Turnpike to Close Aug. 24 between Somerset and Bedford Interchanges

Overnight closure is necessary for overhead bridge work at milepost 130.86.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike advises motorists of a closure in both directions between Bedford Interchange (#146) and Somerset Interchange (#110). The closure westbound will begin at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 24 through 5 a.m. Aug. 25. The eastbound closure will be in effect between the hours of 2 a.m. on Aug. 25 through 6 a.m. This work will proceed as weather permits.

The closure is needed for the erection of concrete beams for the overhead bridge at milepost 130.86, which carries Cider Road over the Turnpike mainline in Juniata Township, Bedford County.

The recommended detours are as follows:

EASTBOUND TRAFFIC exiting at Somerset:

Follow signs to State Route 281 north (2.5 miles)

U.S. Route 219 north (9 miles)

U.S. Route 30 east (31.8 miles)

U.S. Route 220 north (2.3 miles)

Reenter the Turnpike eastbound at Bedford Interchange

WESTBOUND TRAFFIC exiting at Bedford:

Follows signs to U.S. Route 220 south (2.5 miles)

U.S. Route 30 west (31.8 miles)

U.S. Route 219 south (9 miles)

State Route 281 south (2.3 miles)

Reenter the Turnpike westbound at Somerset Interchange

Alternate-route cards will be available to exiting travelers 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 bridge replacement is needed to accommodate a future six-lane widening from milepost 129-133.5. Roadway reconstruction work on the Turnpike mainline is expected to start in 2016.

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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