Northeast Extension to Close Six Hours on Sunday

Drivers of the Northeastern Extension will have to find detours between 12:01 a.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will close an 11-mile stretch of I-476 in both directions between Mid-County and Lansdale in order to erect steel girders for the Sumneytown Pike bridge spanning the turnpike in Towamencin Township.

According to a press release, at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, southbound traffic will be diverted at the Lansdale exit. Northbound access to the Northeastern Extension from Mid-County will be prohibited.

Commuters traveling north from Mid-County or from I-276 East or West will be directed to the Fort Washington Interchange of I-276 to return to I-476 at Lansdale.

The PTC will close the left lane of the turnpike between mileposts A28 and A32 at 8 p.m. Saturday for southbound traffic and at 10 p.m. Saturday for northbound traffic.

The speed limit on the Northeastern Extension will be 40 mph until the two left-lane patterns are lifted 7 a.m. Sunday.

The PTC reminds motorists that construction-zone speed limits are enforceable and fines will be doubled.

Pennsylvania State Police and turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Lansdale, Mid-County and Norristown interchanges to assist motorists. 

DETOURS 

• Traveling southbound on I-476 — Exit at Lansdale Interchange (#31). Turn left onto Sumneytown Pike. At the second light, turn left onto Forty Foot Road (State Route 63-east). Travel 1.5 miles and turn right onto Welsh Road (State Route 63-east) to U.S. Route 309-south to reenter the Turnpike at the Fort Washington Interchange. Travel east on the Pa. Turnpike (I-276) to get to Philadelphia and New Jersey. Travel west on the Pa. Turnpike (I-276) to get to Harrisburg and points west. Motorists bound for I-476 south (Blue Route) to I-76 and I-95 should also follow the Turnpike westbound from Fort Washington, 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, continue northbound on the Northeastern Extension. All traffic will enter the Turnpike at the Mid-County Toll Plaza and continue eastbound on I-276 to the Fort Washington Interchange (Exit #339). Exit the Turnpike and travel north on Route 309. Turn left on Welsh Road (State Route 63-west) and follow the signs to reenter I-476 at the Lansdale Interchange. 

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

For more information visit www.paturnpike.com/constructionprojects/mpA20toA31.