TRAVEL ADVISORY
CONTACT: Mimi Doyle
Phone: 610.313.6383
E-mail:mdoyle@paturnpike.com
December 13, 2013
Mid-Day Traffic Stoppages Scheduled on I-476 in Carbon County Next Week

Traffic Paces to impact travel near 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 for controlled blasting operations on the northbound side of I-476 on Dec. 17 and Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. conditions permitting.
 
The weekday bi-directional traffic restrictions will begin Dec. 17 and Dec. 19 at approximately 12:45 p.m. Turnpike Maintenance personnel and Pennsylvania State Police will stop motorists traveling northbound at the Mahoning Valley Interchange and southbound at the Pocono Interchange then begin a slow-moving traffic pace (approximately 25 mph), bringing traffic to a complete stop northbound at milepost A-85 and southbound at milepost A-89 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 and local traffic will be stopped on State Route 903.

Traffic paces and one stoppage of up to 20 minutes are necessary to safely complete blasting operations without jeopardizing worker and motorist safety. The blasts are scheduled to occur Mondays through Thursdays at 1 p.m. but may be conducted anytime from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dec. 16 - Dec. 19 the contractor will reduce traffic to one-lane in each direction on I-476 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. to install underdeck protection shielding at the existing overhead structure located at milepost A87. The contractor will comply with the Turnpike’s system-wide holiday lane restriction moratorium for construction projects from Dec. 20 through Jan. 2, 2014.

The weekly blasting schedule and periodic travel advisories will be posted on the project website at: www.paturnpike.com/constructionprojects/Rt903AEI.

Motorists traveling the 21-mile stretch of I-476 between Mahoning Valley and the Poconos should continue to anticipate traffic restrictions for various construction-related activities for the duration of the project.

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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