Travel Advisory

Work Winding Down at New ‘E-ZPass Only’ Interchange (Exit #87) in Carbon County
Access from Northeastern Extension to State Route 903 expected to be open on June 30.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) advises motorists that construction is nearing completion at the Pa. Turnpike’s Route 903 E-ZPass Only Interchange connecting the Northeastern Extension (I-476) to State Route 903 in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County. The PTC expects to open the interchange on June 30 – in time for Independence Day weekend.

The new full or "four-way" interchange will allow E-ZPass account holders to get on or off I-476 in either direction. Located about 8 miles south of the Pocono Interchange (Exit #95) and 13 miles north of the Mahoning Valley Interchange (Exit #74), it will be designated as the Route 903 Interchange (Exit #87). The interchange will shorten travel times and improve access to and from attractions in the Poconos. The destinations listed on the exit signage will be Jim Thorpe/Lake Harmony.

Turnpike travelers must have an active E-ZPass account and a properly installed transponder to utilize the new interchange. If a non-E-ZPass motorist attempts to exit — intentionally or otherwise — an image of the vehicle license plate will be automatically captured, and the PTC will mail a violation notice to the registered owner. The first violation notice will include the toll from the furthest Turnpike entry point (the Ohio line in this case) plus a $25 administrative fee.

Construction at the bridge that carries Route 903 over the Turnpike began in April 2013 with the reconstruction and widening of Route 903 to accommodate the turn lanes for the new northbound and southbound entry/exit ramps. Installation of E-ZPass hardware on the on/off ramps — gantries, tag readers, cameras and scales — was completed earlier this month; the Turnpike has been testing the equipment for two weeks to ensure that it’s functioning properly.

Activation of roadway lighting and traffic signals on Route 903 is scheduled for the week of June 22. The traffic signals on Route 903 at the intersection of the entry/exit ramps will begin operating in a flashing "test mode" for seven days prior to the opening of the interchange.

Some of the other work adjacent to the bridge and ramps, seeding and grading for example, and work necessary to fulfill the permit requirements on the state route; will be done once traffic is restored on State Route 903 and the tolling facilities are operational.

The $22.4 million project – funded wholly by toll revenues without any state or federal tax dollars – is being built by New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc. of New Enterprise, Pa.

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 Pa. 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.

Travelers can purchase E-ZPass at the Sunoco A-Plus Convenience Store inside the Turnpike’s Hickory Run Service Plaza or at AAA Offices, Giant Foods, Wal-Mart and Wegmans in the area. To find a nearby retailer, visit https://www.paturnpike.com/toll/sales.aspx.

###