Southbound I-476 Traffic Switched onto new Pohopoco Creek and Lehigh River Bridges Next Week

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (08/05/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists traveling on the Turnpike's Northeastern Extension (I-476), between the Mahoning Valley (Exit #74) Interchange and the Lehigh Tunnel, to be prepared for single-lane patterns to be in effect southbound from 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8 – 7 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 and overnight northbound Tuesday and Wednesday, (Aug. 9, 10). These restrictions will remain in effect until all southbound traffic is switched to the new bridges by 7 a.m. Thursday, August 11.

The $101.6 million Turnpike project involves the replacement of the two, 52-year old Lehigh River and Pohopoco Creek Bridges with two new wider and state-of-the-art concrete bridges directly west of and parallel to the existing bridges on the Turnpike's Northeast Extension (I-476) in Carbon County.

Construction crews will utilize single-lane patterns to relocate median barrier, eradicate and paint lines, and perform modifications to storm water drainage. The three day operation will allow the contractor ample time to safely reconfigure the new southbound traffic lanes at both the north and south approach to the new Pohopoco Creek and Lehigh River Bridges. Weather permitting and subject to change, the work is scheduled as follows:

• Southbound (milepost A76-A73) Monday (Aug 8) 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Thursday (Aug 11) - Continuous 24hr operation utilizing right and left lane closures and a traffic pace to switch traffic from right to left lane.

• Northbound (milepost A72-A76) Tuesday (Aug 9) and Wednesday (Aug 10) nights from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. the following morning the left lane will be closed.

Motorists should stay alert for slow moving or stopped traffic and obey posted speed limits. Anticipate delays and be prepared for intermittent lane closures and traffic paces to impact travel as work continues northbound and southbound between milepost A76-A72.

When the work is completed by Thursday morning southbound traffic will be shifted to the new Pohopoco Creek and Lehigh River Bridges. Northbound traffic will be switched to the new bridges with similar restrictions before November.

The contractor's schedule is dependent on the weather and subject to change. For all construction updates and travel advisory information, visit the project website at www.lehighbridge.com.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is committed to distributing complete, accurate and consistent travel information and providing exceptional customer service. Be in the know before you go and plan ahead – get real-time information about roadway conditions via the Turnpike Roadway Information Program, or "TRIP," by visiting www.paturnpike.com or calling 1-866-976-TRIP (8747).