Turnpike to Hold Open House in Plymouth on Thursday

According to a release issued by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC), the PTC will host a "Construction Update Open House" on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 4:30-6:30pm at the Montgomery County Fire Academy, 1175 Conshohocken Road in Conshohocken. Go to www.montcopa.org for directions to the facility.

According to the PTC, the open house format will provide residents near the reconstruction and six-lane widening project at the Mid-County Interchange to Berks Road (milepost A20-A26) an opportunity to meet with Turnpike officials, the contractor and consultants involved with the project. This is open to the residents of Plymouth, Whitpain and Worcester townships who are impacted by construction to widen the Northeastern Extension from four to six lanes.

October will be the last scheduled monthly open house until March, 2012, due to the holidays and the contractor's ability to significantly advance the construction schedule due to winter weather conditions. Construction activities will continue over the winter months and if residents express an interest, an open house will be scheduled before March. Construction updates, newsletters, a project timeline and future meeting notices will continue to be posted on the website.

Drivers can sign up to receive e-bulletins and project newsletters, learn about the progress of the 11.5 total reconstruction widening project from design to construction and locate contact information for the Southern Section Construction Project Team by going to www.paturnpike.com/ConstructionProjects/mpA20toA30.

Residents are encouraged to sign-up to receive electronic weekly construction/utility updates by contacting Mimi Doyle, PTC Public Relations at mdoyle@paturnpike.com or by calling Jessica Bratina at 215-361-2945.

To better plan ahead for travel on the Northeastern Extension (I-476), drivers can 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. Officials advise motorists headed for the Turnpike to check out roadway conditions before they leave.

TRIP Talk streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users on America's First Superhighway.To download the free app, go to www.paturnpike.com/triptalk.