News Release

    September 26, 2017

 

PA Turnpike Postpones Lehigh Valley Bridge Replacement
Northeastern Extension will remain open this weekend in Lehigh County

 

HARRISBURG, PA. (Sept. 26, 2017) -- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission today announced the postponement of a planned weekend closure on the Northeastern Extension (I-476) in Lehigh County. The highway will remain open in both directions as the related bridge replacement is to be rescheduled.

PA Turnpike Chief Engineer Brad Heigel explained that a routine analysis conducted over the weekend revealed an issue with the slide mechanism, the steel platform upon which the new bridges were built that enables crews to slide the superstructures into place.

“During a test run, we detected a slight shift had occurred on one side of the slide mechanism, so the Turnpike Commission — together with the engineering-design consultant and the construction contractor — agreed it would not be sensible to move ahead this weekend,” Heigel explained. “The shift would make it extremely difficult for crews to properly slide the new bridge segments into their correct position within the allotted 55-hour detour.”

The delayed bridge replacement is slated to be rescheduled mid-to-late October.

 
CONTACT: Carl DeFebo
Phone: 717.831.7176
Kathleen Walter
Phone: 610.313.6383