Temporary Lane Restrictions on Southbound I-476 go into effect early Tuesday Morning in Carbon County

Final preparations begin for southbound traffic switch onto new Lehigh and Pohopoco Bridges in early August.

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (07/15/2011)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists traveling southbound on the Turnpike's Northeastern Extension (I-476), between the Mahoning Valley (Exit #74) Interchange and the Lehigh Tunnel, to be prepared for a single-lane pattern to go into effect Monday night, July 18 at 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. Tuesday morning.

At 7 p.m. as motorists approach the construction area just north of the Mahoning Valley Interchange, construction crews will establish a single-lane pattern closing the right lane for one-mile between milepost A75.8 - A74.8. The overnight closure will allow the contractor ample time to safely work to reconfigure their short term temporary traffic lanes at the southbound approach to the project area.

Starting Tuesday morning at 6 a.m. for approximately three weeks, southbound traffic will be shifted slightly to the east for one-half mile between MP A75.5-A75.0 on to the newly reconfigured 11' travel lanes. The posted speed limit through this interim pattern southbound is posted at 40 miles-per-hour. Motorists should stay alert for slow moving or stopped traffic when traveling southbound through the new traffic pattern in the vicinity of the Mahoning Valley Interchange (Exit #74).

This temporary traffic pattern is the final stage before southbound traffic is shifted to the new Pohopoco Creek and Lehigh River Bridges sometime in early August.

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).