Plans Advance For PA Turnpike's Breezewood Interchange Overhaul

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is moving forward with plans to redesign the Breezewood interchange in Bedford County to provide motorists with a direct link between the turnpike and Interstate 70 to Maryland.

Commission officials announced this week that they have hired Alfred Benesch and Company as the lead designer for the project, which also will include a three-mile total reconstruction and widening of the turnpike near Breezewood.

“The Breezewood Interchange project will show how transportation can improve communities’ economies and quality of life,” said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary and PA Turnpike Commission Chair Mike Carroll. “Not only will traffic flow and safety be improved, but truck-parking access and trail connections will also be included.”

When the project is completed, motorists no longer would have to navigate through an often congested section of Breezewood's commercial district on Route 30 to get between the turnpike and Route 70. The redesigned interchange still will provide access to Route 30, however.

The three-mile total reconstruction will expand the turnpike to six lanes in that area while providing access to I-70. The goal is to keep long-distance travelers and commercial traffic on the interstate, while supporting safe, less congested access to local communities for visitors, turnpike officials said.

In 2022, 2.65 million travelers exited at the Breezewood Interchange and 2.83 million customers entered the Turnpike at Breezewood; trucks accounted for 37 percent of all traffic.