Travel Advisory

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

I-476 will be closed in both directions between the Quakertown and Lehigh Valley exits on May 31.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists that the Northeastern Extension (I-476) will be closed northbound and southbound for six hours on May 31 between Quakertown (Exit #44) and Lehigh Valley (Exit #56) interchanges. The closure is necessary for the protection of motorists and workers during the placement of a temporary overhead bridge to accommodate northbound traffic entering and exiting the Allentown Service Plaza located in Upper and Lower Macungie townships, Lehigh County.

The Allentown Service Plaza is located less than one-mile south of the Lehigh Valley Interchange and approximately 12 miles north of the Quakertown Interchange at milepost A56.0.

At 12:01 a.m. on May 31, all northbound traffic will be diverted off I-476 at the Quakertown Interchange and southbound traffic will exit at the Lehigh Valley Interchange. The Northeastern Extension will reopen to traffic by 6 a.m.

Prior to the closure, the contractor will close the right lanes on May 30 starting northbound at 8 p.m. then southbound at 9 p.m. between mileposts A53 – A57 until all patterns are lifted by 9 a.m. on May 31.

The Allentown Service Plaza will be closed in both directions at 11 p.m. Fuel, food and bathroom facilities will be unavailable to motorists at this plaza until the Turnpike is reopened at 6 a.m.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Quakertown and Lehigh Valley interchanges to assist motorists. Drivers can tune to radio 1640 AM for detour information and traffic conditions. 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 northbound on I-476: Exit at the Quakertown Interchange (Exit #44) and follow State Route 663 north to State Route 309 north to Interstate 78 west to Route 309 north, follow to State Route 22 west or Tilghman Street west. This will bring you to the Lehigh Valley Interchange.

Traveling southbound on I-476: Exit at the Lehigh Valley Interchange (Exit #56) and follow State Route 22 east to State Route 309 south to Interstate 78 east to State Route 309 south to State Route 663 south. This will bring you to the Quakertown Interchange.

Allan A. Myers Construction, Inc., of Worcester, Pa. was awarded the $6.9 million contract in Nov. 2014. The temporary bridge and ramps are necessary to maintain traffic during construction. In case of inclement weather, the overnight closure will be rescheduled for June 14 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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