I-476 North Closed This Weekend between Wyoming Valley, Clarks Summit

HARRISBURG, PA (10/19/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike cautions northbound motorists on I-476 that a 16-mile stretch of the Northeastern Extension will be shut down and a detour implemented for eight hours this weekend between Wyoming Valley (Exit #115) and Clarks Summit (Exit #131).

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, all northbound traffic will be diverted off at the Wyoming Valley Interchange until the contractor completes the repairs and re-opens the Turnpike to traffic by 8 a.m.

Motorists entering I-476 southbound at Clarks Summit will not be impacted by the northbound construction activities.

The northbound closure will allow a contractor to perform deck repairs to the bridge (milepost A130.2) that carries the Turnpike over Edella Road in South Abington Township. The bridge is located less than one mile south of the Clarks Summit Toll Plaza and is not wide enough for the contractor to maintain traffic during repairs.

The detour using Route 315 north to I-81 is approximately 21 miles to Clarks Summit. Customers can obtain an alternate-route card at the Wyoming Valley Toll Plaza. Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will help direct motorists requiring assistance. The Turnpike Highway Advisory Radio has been activated; motorists choosing to use E-ZPass Only lanes can tune to 1640 AM to obtain detour information.

This work is weather sensitive and could be rescheduled for Oct. 29-30.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is committed to distributing complete, accurate and consistent travel information and exceptional customer service. Motorists can also get up-to-date travel conditions by calling 866-976-TRIP (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.

NEW - TRIP Talk streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users on America's First Superhighway. Pa. Turnpike travelers can visit http://www.paturnpike.com/triptalk to download the free app. Users do not have to create an account, register or sign up with the Turnpike to use TRIP Talk. The app uses your phone's built-in GPS to stream nearby advisories.