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July 14, 2023 Travel Advisory

PA Turnpike Closing Westbound Lanes Between Breezewood and New Stanton Interchanges Overnight This Weekend


PA Turnpike Closing Westbound Lanes Between Breezewood and

New Stanton Interchanges Overnight This Weekend 

Interstate 70/76 westbound closure necessary to remove tractor-trailer that crashed earlier this week.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises travelers that an 86-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 70/76) will be closed westbound overnight, weather permitting, starting at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 between the Breezewood (Exit 161) and New Stanton (Exit 75) interchanges. The roadway will fully reopen by 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 16. Motorists should plan accordingly for a lengthy detour or should avoid the area during this time. 

The closure is necessary to allow crews to safely remove a tractor-trailer that crashed Monday night at mile marker 103.5 westbound, within the Milepost 102 to 109 Total Reconstruction project, in Somerset County. An investigation by Pennsylvania State Police Troop T found the tractor-trailer left the roadway, went through the guardrail and traveled down a ditch before striking an embankment. PSP said the vehicle sustained disabling damage because of the crash and troopers later charged the driver with driving under the influence of alcohol. 

Motorists exiting at the Breezewood Interchange should follow the suggested detour route: 

  • Exit at the Breezewood Interchange (Exit 161) and follow U.S. Route 30 west (18.7 miles). 
  • Follow I-99 north (30.1 miles).  
  • Follow U.S. Route 22 west (64.5 miles).  
  • Follow PA Turnpike Route 66 south (13.9 miles).  
  • Reenter the PA Turnpike (I-76) at the New Stanton Interchange (Exit 75). 

The more than 100-mile detour is necessary to safely accommodate the volume of diverted traffic, including commercial vehicles. Travelers should expect higher than normal traffic volumes on this detour route during the closure and should plan accordingly. Message boards are already in place to inform customers of the closure. 

Vehicles will be permitted to enter the Turnpike at the Donegal Interchange (Exit 91) and travel westbound during this closure. All eastbound traffic is permitted in the corridor during the westbound closure, though travelers are advised that traffic will be down to one-lane eastbound beginning at 8:00 p.m. on July 15 in the vicinity of the recovery site due to unrelated road work. 

Information will be posted, and announcements will be made, prior to the closure at the North Midway Service Plaza in Bedford County and the Somerset North Service Plaza in Somerset County warning customers of the impending closure. If customers remain in the service plaza after 11 p.m. on July 15, they will be required to stay there until the road reopens. 

To report an accident or other emergency on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 via mobile phone. To learn more about PA Turnpike conditions, use one of these resources: 

ON THE TURNPIKE

  • 511PA Smartphone App: real-time, hands-free PA traffic advisories
  • Digital Message Signs: more than 100 boards along the Turnpike

ON THE WEB

  • 511/511pa.com: live, interactive map
  • Twitter: @PATurnpikeAlert

BY PHONE

  • 511: dial from any PA roadway for local travel information
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike Customer Assistance Center: 877-736-6727, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

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Media Contact: Crispin Havener, 717-870-2841