Travel Advisory

Two Million Vehicles Expected on Pa. Turnpike for Memorial Day Weekend
Motorists are urged to be courteous and alert in heavy traffic.

HARRISBURG, PA (MAY 24, 2016) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) is expecting more than two million vehicles to travel over the Memorial Day holiday this year. With such a high traffic volume, motorists are urged to stay alert and drive safely and without distraction.

“Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest holidays of the year, so we are asking the roughly 2.3 million motorists who will be on the Turnpike to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel,” says Pa. Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “With all the holiday travelers on the road, drivers need to be especially careful to avoid distractions including texting while driving.”

During the four-day holiday, Friday is expected to be the heaviest travel day with about 700,000 drivers on the system. This heavy traffic will include thousands of motorcycles, “so drivers need to pay attention to their surroundings and watch for motorcyclists,” Compton says.

To help accommodate heavier holiday traffic, the Turnpike will suspend maintenance work and have all available lanes open in each direction beginning at 5 a.m. on May 27 through 11 p.m. on May 31.

 “With so many people traveling this holiday weekend, it’s more important than ever to travel at a safe speed, wear your seatbelt and avoid distractions,” says Capt. David L. Cain of the Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, the troop in charge of Turnpike patrols. “Our patrols will have zero tolerance for drinking and driving as well as aggressive driving, so motorists should drive smart and arrive at their destination safely.”

To report emergencies on the Turnpike, dial *11 on your mobile phone and be ready to provide your milepost location when calling. In the event of an emergency, the Turnpike will activate its Digital Message Signs and Highway Advisory Radio System (1640 AM) to inform motorists of conditions. Motorists should obey posted speed limits and move over for stopped emergency vehicles.

Travelers wanting real-time roadway information can call 866-976-TRIP (8747) or visit the online Travel Conditions Map at www.paturnpike.com/webmap. The Pa. Turnpike smartphone app, TRIP Talk, streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users. To download the free app, visit www.paturnpike.com/triptalk.

To promote safe driving, the PTC will be holding a Safety Break event at the Sideling Hill Service Plaza in Fulton County on July 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the plaza, which is accessible to eastbound and westbound travelers on the mainline Turnpike at milepost 172.