PA Turnpike's Breezewood Interchange Getting Redesign

BREEZEWOOD, PA — The Pennsylvania Turnpike's Breezewood interchange will be redesigned to include a connection to Interstate 70 as well as a three-mile total reconstruction of the toll road around the town.

Turnpike Commission officials said Tuesday that based on its aging infrastructure, the Breezewood interchange was scheduled for renovations as part of the PA Turnpike’s Total Reconstruction Initiative, which expands the roadway to six lanes.

Rather than replace the existing infrastructure, the commission construct a connection to I-&0 designed to keep long distance travelers and commercial traffic on the interstate, while supporting safe, less congested access to local communities for visitors.

“Redesigning the Breezewood Interchange will have a significant impact on Pennsylvania drivers, visitors and commercial customers,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary and PA Turnpike Commission Chair Mike Carroll said in a release.

“Beyond reducing congestion and improving travel times, a connection to I-70 enhances safety, air quality and accessibility to the roadway, while turning land back over to the community for development. There’s also an opportunity to enhance our commonwealth’s truck parking capacity and improve access to safe parking.”

The new interchange is not in the immediate future, however.On average, a project takes 8-10 years from seeking a design consultant to the start of construction. More information on design and construction timelines will be released once they are established, commission officials said.

In 2022, 2.65 million motorists exited at the Breezewood interchange and 2.83 million motorists entered the Turnpike at Breezewood.