TRAVEL ADVISORY
CONTACT: Mimi Doyle
Phone: 610-313-6383
E-mail: mdoyle@paturnpike.com 		January 8, 2015
Pa. Turnpike Advises Motorists of a Six-Hour Closure on Northeastern Extension in Carbon County

Northbound I-476 will be closed between Mahoning Valley and Pocono exits on Jan. 10.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists that a 22-mile stretch of the Northeastern Extension (I-476) will be closed northbound-only for six hours on Jan. 10 between the Mahoning Valley (Exit #74) and Pocono (Exit #95) interchanges. The closure is necessary for the protection of motorists and workers during removal of steel girders from the bridge that carries the Turnpike over State Route 209 and Pohopoco Creek at milepost A76 in Franklin Township, Carbon County.

At 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 10 all traffic traveling north of Lehigh Valley will be diverted off I-476 northbound at the Mahoning Valley Interchange.  Motorists stopped at the Hickory Run Service Plaza will not be permitted to reenter I-476 northbound once the Turnpike is closed.  The Northeastern Extension will reopen to traffic by 6 a.m.

Prior to the closure, the contractor will set a single-lane traffic pattern at 10 p.m. on Jan. 9, closing the left lane southbound between milepost A77-A76.

During the closure, the contractor will utilize flaggers to periodically stop traffic for motorists traveling on State Route 209 until 5 a.m. for crews to remove the overhead beams.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Mahoning Valley Interchanges to assist motorists. 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.

Suggested Detour:

Traveling northbound on I-476 - Exit at the Mahoning Valley Interchange and take State Route 209 north to State Route 115 north to Interstate 80 west to Exit 277 to reenter I-476 at the Pocono Interchange.

The project to replace two bridges -- funded entirely by toll revenues without any state or federal tax dollars -- was awarded to New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. of New Enterprise, Pa. in Sept. 2013. The bridges are located a quarter-mile north of the Mahoning Valley Interchange and are being replaced in stages to maintain Turnpike traffic for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed by summer 2016.

In case of inclement weather, the overnight closure will be rescheduled for Jan. 17 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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