PA Turnpike to close for Six Hours Early Sunday in Chester and Montgomery County
Placement of Bridge Beams for New Bridge to Close PA Turnpike for Six Hours Early Sunday
Valley Forge to Downingtown, pa 19335 to Shutdown from Midnight until 6 a.m. Sunday
KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (06/18/2009)(readMedia)– The Pennsylvania Turnpike cautions motorists that a 14-mile stretch of the toll road will be closed in both directions for six hours this weekend between Valley Forge (Exit #326) and Downingtown,PA 19335 (Exit #312) to allow a contractor to place beams for a new bridge carrying a local road (Route 252) over the Turnpike in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County.
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, June 21, all westbound Turnpike traffic will be diverted off at the Valley Forge Interchange, Montgomery County, and all eastbound Turnpike traffic will be diverted at the Downingtown Interchange, Chester County. The Turnpike will reopen by 6 a.m. with bi-directional, single-lane traffic restrictions and all lanes will be open and traffic fully restored by 10 a.m. Sunday morning.
Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be available at the Interchanges to help direct motorists and provide an alternate-route card, which provides the best route to re-enter the Turnpike system. The Turnpike Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) will be activated and motorists can tune to 1640 AM for detour information and traffic conditions.
All Westbound Turnpike Traffic MUST EXIT at the Valley Forge Interchange (Exit #326) Take Interstate 76 east (.5 mile) to US Route 202 south (12 miles) US Route 30 west (2.5 miles) to State Route 100 north (5 miles). Re-enter the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Downingtown Interchange (#326). Eastbound will be open to traffic.
All Eastbound Turnpike Traffic MUST EXIT at the Downingtown Interchange (Exit #312) Take State Route 100 south (5 miles) to US Route 30 east (2.5 miles) US Route 202 north (12 miles) to Interstate 76 west (.5 mile). Re-enter the Pennsylvania Turnpike at the Valley Forge Interchange (#326). Westbound will be open to traffic
The detour route is approximately 20 miles and the directions are produced solely as a convenience to the public. Motorists are encouraged to plan their travel accordingly. For emergencies, dial *11 on your mobile phone.
Saturday night leading up to the closure the contractor will implement single-lane travel restrictions westbound at 8 p.m. and eastbound at 9 p.m. At 10 p.m. State Police will proceed with a bi-directional traffic pace to allow construction crews time to move large equipment into place. All lane restrictions, paces and construction activity will take place within a one-mile work zone at milepost 324 (approximately 12 miles east of Downingtown and 2 miles west of Valley Forge). The Valley Forge Service Plaza, located adjacent to the bridge (eastbound) will be closed at 11 p.m. and all customers will be asked to vacate the premise.
This work is weather sensitive and could be rescheduled in case of precipitation, high winds or lightning. All motorists traveling on this stretch of turnpike are urged to use caution and remain alert for slow-moving or stopped traffic, and to travel at posted speed limits through all highway work zone areas.
Please visit www.paturnpike.com for project-related announcements and updates, including bridge-detour information.
