Bridge Demolition to Close PA Turnpike (I-76) for Six Hours Sunday April 10

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (04/04/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions motorists that a 14-mile stretch of the toll road will be closed in both directions for six hours the weekend of April 10 between Valley Forge (Exit #326) and Downingtown (Exit #312) to allow a contractor to demolish the bridge that carries Mill Road over the Turnpike at milepost 322.5 in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, April 10, all westbound Turnpike traffic will be diverted off at the Valley Forge Interchange, Montgomery County, and all eastbound Turnpike traffic will be diverted at the Downingtown Interchange, Chester County. The PA Turnpike will re-open to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be available to help direct motorists at the Valley Forge and Downingtown Interchanges providing alternate-route cards to re-enter the Turnpike system. The detour route between the interchanges is approximately 20 miles and the directions are produced solely as a convenience to the public.

The Turnpike Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) will be activated, and motorists can tune to 1640 AM for detour information and traffic conditions. Changeable message signs will be strategically placed to provide the traveling public with updated information regarding closures and detours. Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.

All Westbound Turnpike Traffic MUST EXIT at the Valley Forge Interchange (Exit #326) Take Interstate 76 east (.5 mile) to US Route 202 south (12 miles) US Route 30 west (2.5 miles) to State Route 100 north (5 miles). Re-enter the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Downingtown Interchange (#312). Eastbound will be open to traffic.

All Eastbound Turnpike Traffic MUST EXIT at the Downingtown Interchange (Exit #312) Take State Route 100 south (5 miles) to US Route 30 east (2.5 miles) US Route 202 north (12 miles) to Interstate 76 west (.5 mile). Re-enter the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Valley Forge Interchange (#326). Westbound will be open to traffic

Leading up to the Sunday-morning closure, the contractor will conduct bi-directional mobile operations to uncover traffic control signs on Saturday night, April 9 starting eastbound at 8 p.m. then shifting operations westbound at 9:30 p.m. Motorists traveling between Downingtown and Valley Forge should stay alert for slowing moving construction vehicles or stopped traffic between milepost 319-324. The demolition zone is located at Turnpike milepost 322.5 (approximately 10.5 miles east of Downingtown and 3.5 miles west of Valley Forge). The Valley Forge Service Plaza (eastbound only) will remain open.

Once all Turnpike traffic is clear of the demolition zone, the contractor will have six hours to complete the demolition and clean-up. All lanes will be open and traffic fully restored by 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning.

This work is weather sensitive and could be rescheduled in case of precipitation, high winds or lightning. If the forecast predicts inclement weather the CLOSURE will be re-scheduled for the following weekend (April 17) with times and operation information still applicable.