CONTACT:

Mimi Doyle
Phone: 610.313.6383

December 10, 2014

Placement of Bridge Beams to Close Northeastern Extension Dec. 14

Northbound I-476 will be shut down for six hours between Mid-County and Lansdale.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions motorists that the Northeastern Extension (I-476 northbound only) will be closed for six hours on Dec. 14 between the Mid-County (Exit #20) and Lansdale (Exit #31) interchanges. The overnight closure is necessary for the protection of motorists and workers during the erection of concrete beams for a bridge that carries Bustard Road over the Turnpike at milepost A29.6 in Towamencin Township, Montgomery County.

At 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 14, northbound access to the Northeastern Extension from the Blue Route at Mid County will be prohibited. Motorists wishing to travel north from the Mid-County Interchange or the east/west Turnpike mainline will be directed to exit I-276 at the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339) to return to I-476 at Lansdale. The Northeastern Extension will reopen to traffic by 6 a.m.

I-476 southbound will remain open to traffic traveling south of the Lehigh Valley Interchange (Exit #56) to the east/west Turnpike mainline or the Mid-County Interchange to continue on the Blue Route to I-76 and I-95.

Prior to the shut-down at 9 p.m. on Dec. 13, motorists traveling in both directions on I-476 should be prepared for a right lane closure northbound (milepost A26.8 - A29.9) and a left lane closure southbound (milepost A30.1 - A29.0). Construction-zone speed limits are enforceable and fines will be increased. The speed limit will be posted at 40 mph until the patterns are lifted by 9 a.m.

The overhead bridge construction is part of the Turnpike's $198 million total reconstruction and six-lane widening project between mileposts A26 – A31.

Additional work on the ramp at Mid-County to eastbound I-276, approximately one-half mile from the toll plaza, is also scheduled to occur overnight on Dec. 13. At approximately 11:30 p.m. crews will close the left lane and begin repairs on the concrete bridge deck. Motorists traveling on the Blue Route (I-476 north) and entering the Turnpike at Mid-County to go east will be restricted to one lane until the pattern is lifted by 6 a.m. on Dec. 14.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Mid-County and Ft. Washington interchanges to assist customers with directions. Motorists can tune to radio 1640 AM for detour information and traffic conditions or call the Turnpike Roadway Information line at 866.976.8747. Changeable message signs will also provide updated information regarding closures and detours. Motorists are encouraged to plan travel accordingly. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.

DETOURS

Traveling northbound on I-476 (Blue Route from I-76/I-95) - Enter the Turnpike at the Mid-County Toll Plaza and continue eastbound on I-276 to the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339). Exit the Turnpike and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (State Route 63-west) and follow the signs to reenter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange.

Traveling east or west on I-276 – Exit the Turnpike at the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339) and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (State Route 63-west) and follow the signs to reenter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange.

For more information visit: www.paturnpike.com/constructionprojects/mpA20toA31. In case of inclement weather, the closure will be rescheduled for Dec. 20-21 with times and detours still applicable.

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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