$48 Million Project to Build the Rt. 29 E-ZPass Only Interchange Begins this Month

HARRISBURG, PA (03/15/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announces that construction of the Route 29 E-ZPass Only Interchange located in Charlestown, East Whiteland and Tredyffrin Townships in Chester County will begin this month.

The project – funded wholly by toll revenues without any state or federal tax dollars – is being built by Allan A. Myers, LP of Worcester, Pa. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission awarded the $48 million contract to Myers on January 25, 2011. The new Route 29 Interchange (Exit #320) will cover approximately one-half mile on the Turnpike mainline (I-76) and serve all four traffic movements, both eastbound and westbound entry and exit. Located 8 miles east of the Downingtown (Exit #312) Interchange and 6 miles west of the Valley Forge Interchange (Exit #326) the all-electronic toll facility will link I-76 with PA Route 29 (Morehall Road) near the western end of the proposed six-lane widening project between mileposts 320-326.

Increased traffic volumes in the areas of the Turnpike that serves Pennsylvania's metropolitan regions has contributed to growing congestion on the Turnpike and surrounding highways. One of the busiest four-lane sections of the east-west mainline, the turnpike between Valley Forge and Downingtown is used by nearly 50,000 motorists daily.

Some initial survey work is currently underway with additional construction activities scheduled to begin this week as the contractor starts to install message boards, advance warning signs and traffic control devices, and establish work zones on the local roads and on the Turnpike mainline.

Starting March 28, motorists traveling eastbound and westbound on the Turnpike should be prepared for nighttime lane closures Monday-Friday between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. The initial work will include setting temporary barriers for rebuilding the median area, and along the right edge line to create a safe work zone between milepost 317-321. Once the work zone is established, for about three-four weeks weather permitting, crews will excavate and repave the median for future traffic and motorists should be prepared for overnight left lane closures.

Although on some occasions traffic restrictions will be required, the contractor anticipates minimal disruption of Turnpike traffic during construction of the ramps and toll facilities located off-Pike. The contract also provides for local roadway improvements in the vicinity of SR 29 (Morehall Road) and the Turnpike overpass. These improvements include utility installations, drainage modifications, signing and pavement markings, roadway lighting and traffic signals with work being completed in various traffic stages. In addition, these ramps will provide another point of access for emergency vehicles and personnel responding to incidents in this area of the Turnpike.

The E-ZPass only interchange will offer motorists bi-directional access onto and from the Turnpike via Route 29, reducing traffic congestion at the Valley Forge and Downingtown Interchanges and along the Route 202 corridor. The project includes the construction of four bridges, one over both the Turnpike and Atwater Drive and two bridges over Yellow Springs Road.

Residents living adjacent to the Turnpike in the project area will receive the additional benefit of improved stormwater management, retaining walls, and local roadway improvements to improve their quality of life.

The contractor anticipates the new all-electronic interchange will be fully operational and open to Turnpike traffic late 2012.

Turnpike motorists can also get up-to-date travel conditions by calling 866-976-TRIP (or 866-976-8747). This toll-free number gives audio advisories for the region in which you are traveling, including delays and closures. For a snapshot of conditions across the Turnpike, including access to traffic cams, traffic-flow monitors, audio advisories and more, visit the Interactive Travel Map at www.paturnpike.com/webmap.

Please visit the Pennsylvania Turnpike website at www.paturnpike.com for project-related announcements, traffic updates and travel advisories. The Pennsylvania Turnpike urges the motoring public to stay alert and travel at posted speed limits through highway work zone areas.