The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is warning drivers that they may want to change their travel plans in order to avoid a lengthy detour caused by road construction.
55 Hour PA Turnpike Shut Down To Add More Than An Hour To Travel Times
This weekend the Turnpike Mainline, Interstate 76, through Beaver County will be closed down as as road crews demolish and then replace the bridge that runs over Brush Creek.
The road closure is set to begin at 9 p.m. on Friday, September 26, and will last until 4 a.m. on Monday, September 25.
The detour for the road closure will add more than an hour to current travel times.
Detour Information Here
Here’s official detour information from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission:
“The detour exits are the New Castle Interchange (#10) for eastbound traffic and the Cranberry Interchange (#28) for westbound traffic. The authorized detour route directs motorists to Interstate 376, Interstate 80 and Interstate 79. Local travelers heading eastbound on the PA Turnpike will be able to drive past #10/New Castle and continue to exit at #13/Beaver Valley. The Turnpike will be closed eastbound at Beaver Valley.”
The Turnpike Commission’s Mark Compton warns drivers to make alternate travel plans — or get used to the idea of spending extra time behind the wheel: “We strongly advise customers to avoid this area or plan for extra travel time during the weekend.”
The bridge that is set to be demolished has been in service since 1951 and currently carries about 40,000 vehicles per day. Crews will be using an Accelerated Bridge Construction technique that will allow for the demolishment and replacement of the bridge in just 55 hours.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has several other major road closures planned for the fall: “the PTC will implement 55-hour closures on the east-west mainline, I-76, between the Beaver Valley Exit (#13) and the Cranberry Exit (#28) and on the Northeastern Extension (I-476) between the Lehigh Valley Exit (#56) and the Mahoning Valley Exit (#74).”
You can find out more about this road closure along with the upcoming Pennsylvania Turnpike road closures by clicking here.