Pa. Turnpike to Close Overnight Tomorrow From Donegal to Somerset for Bridge Demo

All traffic to be detoured off the Turnpike beginning 11:45 p.m. Saturday.

NEW STANTON, PA (03/12/2010)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will close the Turnpike in both directions between Donegal (Exit 91) and Somerset (Exit 110) starting at 11:45 p.m. on Sat. March 13 through 6 a.m. on Sun., March 14, weather permitting.

The closure is needed for the emergency removal of a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bridge at MP 100.5 which carries pedestrian traffic over the Turnpike. DCNR has contracted New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc. for the removal.

Message boards will be in place to inform customers of the closure, and Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) broadcasts at station 1640 AM also are being used to inform travelers.

Motorist traveling east exiting the Turnpike at Donegal (Exit 91) will take Route 31 east to Route 281 north to reenter at Somerset; motorist traveling west exiting at Somerset (Exit 110) will follow Route 281 south to Route 31 west to reenter at Donegal.

Alternate-route cards will be available to exiting travelers at the Donegal and Somerset Interchanges during the closure. The detour is estimated to add approximately 30 minutes of additional travel time. Expect higher traffic volumes on detour roads during the closure.

For additional information about traffic advisories visit our website at www.paturnpike.com