PA Turnpike expects busy roads during Labor Day weekend
PA Turnpike Expects Busy Roads During Labor Day Weekend
More vehicles expected on the road this year as families travel to enjoy summer’s last hurrah.
As travelers look to get in one last summer getaway, the PA Turnpike projects over 2.7 million people will be on their roadway during the Labor Day holiday. This is the five-day period beginning Aug. 31 and ending Sept. 4 and represents a 2.5 percent increase in holiday traffic during the same travel period last year.
Friday, Sept. 1, is expected to be the busiest travel day. The full traffic projections follow here:
- Thursday, Aug. 31 — 660,000 vehicles
- Friday, Sept. 1 — 720,000 vehicles
- Saturday, Sept. 2 — 550,000 vehicles
- Sunday, Sept. 3 — 330,000 vehicles
- Monday, Sept. 4 — 480,000 vehicles
Last year, Pennsylvania State Police Troop T reported a 40 percent increase in crashes over the holiday weekend compared to the year before. State Police and the Turnpike will have patrols and safety teams throughout the system who are there to assure travelers get safely to their destination. That means responding to travelers in need of assistance, as well as, taking action against illegal or unsafe behaviors.
Starting at 3 p.m. tomorrow, Aug. 31, through 11 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4 all scheduled construction projects will be suspended, and all lanes will be open to accommodate an increase in traffic. Also, safety and maintenance teams have additional holiday staffing to assist travelers in need.
Many more travelers are choosing recreational vehicles (RV) to accommodate their family trips. For the infrequent and RV traveler, the PA Turnpike has created a special web section to assist with travel planning. Visit PATurnpike.com and click on Ramp Up for Summer Travel or click Ramp up for Seasonal Travel | PA Turnpike.
This week the PA Turnpike wraps up its Big Thanks customer appreciation campaign with one final contest. Those who choose to enter could win a family outing to the Philadelphia Zoo. Visit the PA Turnpike Facebook page for the details.
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 Contacts:
Crispin Havener, chavener@paturnpike.com, (717) 870-2841
Rosanne Placey, rplacey@paturnpike.com, (717) 675-4362