Turnpike Resurfacing at Willow Grove Begins this Month

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists using Interstate 276 between Willow Grove (Exit #343) and Delaware Valley (Exit #358) to be prepared for overnight lane closures with reduced speeds of 40 miles per hour starting later this month. Overnight repaving work will be performed weeknights during off-peak hours until the project is completed in spring 2013.

The Turnpike Commission determined it was necessary for customer safety to resurface this section of I-276 and awarded the $12 million project to Glasgow Inc., Glenside, Pa. in Dec. 2011. The contractor anticipates installing advance warning signs and traffic control devices to establish a work zone over the next two weeks, with roadwork to begin before the end of the month. This schedule is weather dependent and subject to change.

The repaving work is taking place on the Turnpike mainline (I-276) approximately three miles east of the Willow Grove Interchange and one mile east of the Bensalem Interchange between milepost 345.8 and 351.8 in Montgomery and Bucks Counties. The project provides for the milling and paving of the existing bituminous travel lanes, concrete pavement repairs, work on median and shoulder storm-water inlets, and concrete barrier and guiderail improvements.

The mainline work will be completed in two stages. Work on the easterly section of the project between milepost 349 and 352 will commence in March with a mid-June completion date. The remainder of the project area (milepost 345-349) will be completed by May 2013.

Because work requires the contractor to restrict mainline traffic, ALL work will occur during off-peak (nighttime) hours with reduced work-zone speeds of 40 mph. Construction-zone speed limits are enforceable, and fines will be doubled.

In the event of emergency-lane closures, the Turnpike will activate its Variable Message Signs and Highway Advisory Radio System (1640 AM) to inform motorists of conditions.

Turnpike motorists can also get up-to-date travel conditions by calling 866-976-TRIP (8747). This toll-free number gives audio advisories for the region in which you are traveling, including delays and closures. For a snapshot of conditions across the Turnpike, including access to traffic cams, traffic-flow monitors, audio advisories and more, visit the Interactive Travel Map at www.paturnpike.com/webmap.