C  O  M  M  I  S  S  I  O  N       N  E  W  S       R  E  L  E  A  S  E

Contact:  

Carl DeFebo, (717) 939-9551, Ext. 2934

November 15, 2002

TRAVEL ADVISORY

Westbound Single-Lane Traffic Pattern 
In Effect Next Week Near Somerset

HARRISBURG, PA. (Friday, November 15, 2002) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike announced today that a westbound-only single-lane pattern near the Allegheny Tunnel, Somerset County, will be in place beginning Monday, Nov. 18 at 6 a.m. until Thursday, Nov. 21 at approximately 10 a.m.

On Monday, the 6-mile-long lane restriction will begin at milepost 124 — about one half-mile before the Allegheny Tunnel. The pattern will continue through the westbound tunnel and open back up to two lanes at milepost 118. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, this single-lane pattern will be shortened to 3 miles at milepost 121-118. The shortened pattern will begin about 1 mile past the Allegheny Tunnel and remain in effect until Thursday morning.

The speed limit through the single-lane pattern will be 40 miles per hour. Motorists should be aware of the likelihood of delays in this area next week. Westbound motorists approaching and exiting the Allegheny Tunnel should look out for slow-moving or stopped traffic, especially during a.m. and p.m. peaks.

During this single-lane closure, crews are shifting the temporary concrete barrier in preparation for the next construction stage. Because this work cannot be safely completed in inclement weather, the single-lane closure may have to be rescheduled.

The eastbound Turnpike in this area will be open to two lanes of traffic during next week’s switch.

This work is being completed as a part of the total reconstruction of the Turnpike between milepost 109-122. The $94.3 million project involves a complete rebuild of the roadway as well as expansion of and improvements to the Somerset Interchange ramps and Somerset service plaza parking lots. The project is scheduled for completion in November 2004.

For up-to-date information, the Turnpike advises approaching motorists to tune car radios to 1640AM or 1610AM when alerted by variable message boards. In addition, real-time traffic conditions are posted on the Turnpike website, www.paturnpike.com. Project-specific information is available by clicking on the “construction/expansion” button and selecting “Somerset Reconstruction.” Four real-time traffic cams can be viewed under “Visual Traffic Report.” In addition, a toll-free project hotline is now open at 1-866-822-6215.

###

 P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676         Phone: (717) 939-9551         Fax: (717) 986-9649