Removal of Bridge Beams to Close Northeastern Extension for Six Hours Early Sunday

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (03/11/2010)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions motorists that an 11-mile stretch of the toll road will be closed in both directions for six hours this weekend between Mid-County (Exit #20) and Lansdale (Exit #31) on I-476 to allow a contractor to remove steel girders from the northern section of the bridge that carries Walton Road (SR 3012) over the Turnpike at milepost A21.00 in Plymouth Township, Montgomery County.

At 12:01 a.m. Sunday, March 14 (weather permitting) all southbound traffic will be diverted off at the Lansdale Interchange. Motorists intending to travel north from I-276 will be instructed to exit at the Fort Washington Interchange to re-enter I-476 at Lansdale. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on Walton Road; however, motorists should expect slow moving traffic and intermittent stoppages during the closure. All lanes on the Pennsylvania Turnpike mainline will re-open to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Lansdale, Mid-County, and Norristown Interchanges to assist motorists. 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 are currently in place 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.

MOTORISTS CAN TAKE THE FOLLOWING DETOURS:

Traveling southbound on I-476 EXIT at Lansdale Interchange (Exit #31) - turn left onto Sumneytown Pike and at the 2nd light turn left onto Forty Foot Road (SR 63-east). Travel 1.5 miles and turn right onto Welsh Road (SR 63-east) to US Route 309-south and enter the Ft. Washington Interchange to travel PA I-276 to:

• East to Philadelphia and NJ

• West to Harrisburg & I-476 south (Blue Route) to I-76 and I-95 exiting the Turnpike at the Mid-County (Exit #20) Interchange to continue southbound on I-476.

Traveling northbound on I-476 (Blue Route) from I-76 and I-95 to continue northbound on the Northeast Extension – all traffic will enter the Turnpike at the Mid-County Toll Plaza and continue eastbound on I-276 to the Fort Washington (Exit #339) Interchange. Exit the Turnpike and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (Route 63-west) and follow the signs to re-enter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange.

Traveling east or west on I-276 to travel north on the Northeast Extension – all traffic will exit the Turnpike at the Fort Washington (Exit #339) Interchange and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (Route 63-west) and follow the signs to re-enter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange

If the forecast predicts inclement weather the CLOSURE will be re-scheduled for the following weekend (Mar. 21) with times and operation information still applicable.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission urges the motoring public to stay alert and to travel at posted speed limits through all highway work zone areas. Speed limits will be enforced and fines doubled.

For more information please visit: www.paturnpike.com or call the project hotline at 1-877-855-2545 on a 24-hour basis, Sunday through Saturday.