PA Turnpike Reopens between Carlisle and Breezewood Exits after Earlier Accidents

HARRISBURG, PA (02/26/2010)(readMedia)-- All lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike reopened by 3 p.m. today after earlier accidents forced a 7:30 a.m. closure of the toll road in both directions between the Carlisle Exit (#226) and the Breezewood Exit (#161). The eastbound lanes between Breezewood and Carlisle reopened at 1:20 p.m.

Extreme white-out conditions with high winds and freezing temperatures likely contributed to a string of multiple-vehicle accidents on the Turnpike in western Cumberland County that involved almost 20 tractor trailers and two passenger vehicles.

Several westbound accidents occurred near milepost 206 and involved 13 tractor trailers and two passenger vehicles in all. Two individuals were transported to local hospitals for non life-threatening injuries as a result of the westbound accidents. A later accident on the eastbound side at milepost 204 involved six commercial trucks (no passenger vehicles) but no injuries.

The accident scenes were located a few miles east of the Turnpike's Blue Mountain Interchange (#201).

In addition to reopening the road in this area, all other truck and trailer bans have been lifted across the Turnpike. The only restriction still in place for now is the 45 mph speed limit just for the western expanse of Pennsylvania Turnpike from Ohio to the Breezewood (Exit #161). That restriction could be lifted later this evening if conditions warrant.

To check closures and conditions on the Turnpike before you leave, visit www.paturnpike.com (select the "Traveler Info" menu on the left) or call or the Turnpike travel advisory hotline, 1-866-976-8747.