TRAVEL ADVISORY
CONTACT: Mimi Doyle
Phone: 610.313.6383
E-mail: mdoyle@paturnpike.com
May 27,2015

 

Pa. Turnpike Advises Motorists of a Six-Hour Closure on Northeastern Extension in Carbon County

Southbound I-476 will be closed between Pocono and Mahoning Valley exits on May 30.

 

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists that a 22-mile stretch of the Northeastern Extension (I-476) will be closed southbound for six hours on May 30 between the Pocono (Exit #95) and Mahoning Valley (Exit #74) interchanges. The closure is necessary for the protection of motorists and workers during the placement of the concrete bridge deck on 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 May 30 all traffic traveling south of Wilkes-Barre will be diverted off I-476 at the Pocono Interchange until the Northeastern Extension is reopened to traffic by 6 am.

Prior to the closure on May 29, the contractor will set single-lane traffic patterns at 8 p.m. closing the left lane southbound from milepost A77.0 - A76.0 and northbound between milepost A74.0 - A76.5.

Motorists stopped at the Hickory Run Service Plaza will not be permitted to reenter I-476 southbound once the Turnpike is closed.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Pocono Interchange 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 accordingly. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.

Suggested Detour:

Traveling southbound on I-476: Exit at the Pocono Interchange and follow Interstate 80 east to Exit 284 to State Route 115 south to State Route 209 south to reenter I-476 at the Mahoning Valley Interchange.

The project to replace two bridges – funded entirely by toll revenue without any state or federal tax dollars – was awarded to New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. of New Enterprise, Pa. 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 closure will be rescheduled at a later date.

Travelers can get Turnpike traffic alerts by 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 Android 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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