Turnpike Commuters Can Expect Mid-Day Traffic Stops This Week

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission issued a release stating that motorists traveling on the Turnpike (I-76) east from Downingtown and west from Valley Forge will experience slow-moving traffic and stoppages next week, Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 20-22. The weekly bi-directional traffic paces and stoppages are scheduled to continue between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. until February 2012.

Allan A. Myers, the general contractor building the all-electronic toll facility, will resume excavating the rock slope adjacent to the westbound Turnpike mainline next week and requires traffic paces and 15-minute stoppages to safely complete blasting without jeopardizing worker and motorist safety. The daily pace with a 15-minute minute stoppage is scheduled to occur around noon but may be conducted anytime within the contractor's allowable window of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Turnpike Maintenance personnel and State Police will stop motorists traveling eastbound at the Downingtown Interchange (Exit #312) and westbound at the Valley Forge Interchange (Exit #326) then begin a slow-moving traffic pace (approx. 25 mph), bringing traffic to a complete stop eastbound at milepost 319 and 321 westbound in advance of the blast zone. 

Motorists traveling the 14-mile stretch of Turnpike between the Valley Forge and Downingtown Interchange should continue to anticipate traffic delays and to avoid delays seek alternate routes. The work is weather sensitive and may be delayed or rescheduled. Travel advisories will be posted on the project website as needed. 

Visit the PA Turnpike website for all your travel needs or call 866-976-TRIP (8747) to be in the know before you go.

Turnpike App

TRIP Talk streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users on America's First Superhighway. To download the free app, Pa. Turnpike travelers can visit http://www.paturnpike.com/triptalk. Users do not have to create an account, register or sign up with the Turnpike to use TRIP Talk. The app uses your phone's built-in GPS to stream nearby advisories.