Bridge-Beam Placement to Close Northeastern Extension Early Sunday, Sept. 19

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (09/17/2010)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions motorists that an 11-mile stretch of the Northeastern Extension will be closed in both directions for six hours on Sept. 19 between Mid-County (Exit #20) and Lansdale (Exit #31) on I-476. The closure is needed to place steel girders on the bridge that carries Morris Road (SR 2001) over the Turnpike at milepost A27.2 in Upper Gwynedd and Worcester Townships, Montgomery County.

At 12:01 a.m. early Sunday morning, Sept. 19, all southbound traffic will be diverted off at the Lansdale Interchange. Motorists wishing to travel northbound will be directed to exit I-276 at the Fort Washington Interchange to return to I-476 at Lansdale. The Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline will reopen by 6 a.m. Sunday.

At 11 p.m. on Saturday night, Sept. 18, the contractor will close the right-lane in both directions to assemble the crane. Motorists should be prepared for slow-moving or stopped traffic when traveling within the work zone between milepost A25-A29.

Monday and Tuesday nights (Sept. 20-21) between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, the contractor will close the northbound right-lane and State Police will conduct multiple traffic paces in the left-lane, with possible stoppages of up to 15 minutes. Additionally on Tuesday night, the southbound left-lane will be closed from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. Wednesday morning (Sept. 22).

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Lansdale, Mid-County and Norristown interchanges to assist motorists. Motorists can tune to radio 1640 AM for detour information and traffic conditions or call the Turnpike Roadway Information line at 866.976.8747. Changeable message signs will also provide updated information regarding closures and detours. Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.

DETOURS

• Traveling southbound on I-476 - Exit at Lansdale Interchange (#31). Turn left onto Sumneytown Pike. At the second light, turn left onto Forty Foot Road (SR 63-east). Travel 1.5 miles and turn right onto Welsh Road (SR 63-east) to US Route 309-south to reenter the Turnpike at the Fort Washington Interchange. Travel east on the Pa. Turnpike (I-276) to get to Philadelphia and New Jersey. Travel west on the Pa. Turnpike (I-276) to get to Harrisburg and points west. Motorists bound for I-476 south (Blue Route) to I-76 and I-95 should also follow the Turnpike westbound from Fort Washington, exiting the Turnpike at the Mid-County (Exit #20) Interchange to continue southbound on I-476.

• Traveling northbound on I-476 (Blue Route) - From I-76 and I-95. All traffic will enter the Turnpike at the Mid-County Toll Plaza and continue eastbound on I-276 to the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339). Exit the Turnpike and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (Route 63-west) and follow the signs to re-enter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange.

• Traveling east or west on I-276 to travel north on the Northeastern Extension - All traffic will exit the Turnpike at the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339) and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (Route 63-west) and follow the signs to re-enter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange.

Traffic restrictions have been requested for over-height vehicles traveling north and south between Mid-County and Lansdale Interchanges until Sept. 24, 2010.

The Turnpike urges motorists to stay alert and travel at posted speed limits (55/40 mph) through work zones. Speed limits will be enforced by PA State Police and fines increased. For more information call the project hotline at 1-877-855-2545 or visit http://www.paturnpike.com/ConstructionProjects/mpA20toA30/. In case of inclement weather, the closure will be rescheduled for Sept. 25-26 with times and detour information still applicable.