Nearly 3 Million Expected on Pa. Turnpike Over July 4 Holiday

Turnpike travelers are reminded to slow down and be alert

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) expects about 2.8 million vehicles to be traveling the Turnpike over the Independence Day holiday. That figure is up from the 2.7 vehicles anticipated last year. The heaviest travelled day is expected to be Thursday with nearly 700,000 vehicles predicted to be on the Turnpike. With that volume of traffic expected on the roadway, the PTC is asking motorists to stay alert and be aware of distracted drivers over the holiday.

In preparation for the surge of traffic, Turnpike maintenance and construction crews plan to maximize the use of the roadway by opening all available lanes to traffic beginning at 3 p.m. on July 1 through 6 a.m. on July 7 except in the case of emergencies. In the event of emergency-lane closures, the Turnpike will activate its Variable Message Signs and Highway Advisory Radio to alert motorists.

“We will have additional maintenance personnel on duty to patrol the Turnpike, help with debris removal and assist with any emergencies that may occur,” says Pa. Turnpike Chief Executive Officer Mark Compton. “With our men and women out there on the roadway, we are urging motorists to pay attention and drive safely.”

As the holiday traffic increases, so will the patrols by the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), which plans to have troopers out enforcing speed limit and no-texting laws. “Our troopers will be on the roadway watching for aggressive drivers,” states Lt. Edward C. Murphy of PSP Troop T (the unit in charge of Turnpike patrols). Speeding and texting will not be tolerated either, so motorists need to obey posted speed limits and stay alert.”

To promote safe driving during the Independence Day holiday, the Turnpike is sponsoring a "Safety Break" event at the South Midway Service Plaza located on the eastbound Turnpike just past the Bedford Exit (#146) in Bedford County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 2. Information about the Turnpike and its preferred traveler programs will available, and Turnpike staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Motorists traveling the Turnpike can dial *11 on their mobile phone in case of emergencies. Be ready to provide your specific milepost location to the dispatcher when calling *11.

To better plan ahead for holiday trips, Turnpike motorists are encouraged to call the Turnpike Roadway Information line, 866-976-TRIP (8747) for real-time traffic alerts or visit the Turnpike's live Travel Conditions Map online at www.paturnpike.com. The Pa. Turnpike’s smartphone app, TRIP Talk, streams audio traffic advisories to iPhone and Droid users so they can keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. To download the free app, visit http://www.paturnpike.com/triptalk.

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