Travel Advisory

Pa. Turnpike to Close Overnight on Northeastern Extension in Lehigh County
Six-hour closure planned Nov. 15 between Quakertown and Lehigh Valley exits.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists that the Northeastern Extension (I-476) will be closed northbound and southbound for six hours on Nov. 15 between the Quakertown (Exit #44) and Lehigh Valley (Exit #56) interchanges. The closure is necessary for the protection of motorists and workers while crews install seven, steel bridge beams.

At midnight on Nov. 15, 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.

The Allentown Service Plaza, located less than one-mile south of the Lehigh Valley Interchange and approximately 12 miles north of the Quakertown Interchange at milepost A56.0 will also be closed. Fuel, food and bathroom facilities will be unavailable to motorists at this plaza until the Turnpike is reopened. Customers inside the plaza will be advised prior to the closing.

A single-lane pattern in each direction will be in place prior to the closure beginning at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 with a traffic pace scheduled at 8:30 p.m. to allow crews to safely place a crane near the plaza to conduct the bridge work.

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. 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.

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.

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