Pa. Turnpike Work between Bedford and Breezewood Rescheduled for this Weekend

All traffic to be detoured for five hours starting Saturday night to accommodate bridge work.

NEW STANTON, PA (09/14/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) cautions motorists that a 16-mile stretch of the Turnpike between Bedford (Exit 146) and Breezewood (Exit 161) will be closed in both directions from 11:45 p.m. on Sept. 17 until 5 a.m. on Sept. 18 for the placement of bridge beams at milepost 155 and a bridge demolition at milepost 151, weather permitting.

The bridge at milepost 155 is located above the Turnpike mainline in West Providence Township, Bedford County. It is being replaced to accommodate a future widening and reconstruction project.

The bridge at milepost 151 - part of an early action task in anticipation of a future Total Reconstruction Project - is located in Snake Spring Township, and carries Ashcom Road over the Turnpike. Phase 1 of the new bridge is currently done and opened to traffic. Demolishing the remaining portion of the bridge and completing the new bridge entirely is Phase 2 of this project.

Alternate-route cards will be available to exiting travelers at the Bedford and Breezewood interchanges during the closure. Message boards will be placed to inform customers of the closure, and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) broadcasts at station 1640 AM also are being used to inform travelers.

Westbound drivers will be advised to exit at Breezewood (Exit 161), take U.S. Route 30 West (18.5 miles) to U.S. Route 220 North (2.5 Miles) to U.S. Route 220 South (.2 miles). Motorists can reenter the Turnpike at the Bedford Interchange (Exit 146).

Eastbound drivers will be advised to exit at Bedford (Exit 146), take U.S. Route 220 North (.2 miles) to U.S. Route 220 South (2.5 miles) to U.S. Route 30 East (18.5 miles). Motorist can reenter the Turnpike at the Breezewood Interchange (Exit 161)

Expect higher traffic volumes on detour roads during the closure.

Turnpike travelers can get up-to-date information 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 due to accidents or weather. To check conditions before you hit the road, the Turnpike's Interactive Travel Map at www.paturnpike.com/webmap delivers a snapshot of conditions across the Turnpike, including web cams, at-a-glance traffic-flow status, weather conditions, audio advisories and more.