Even if you don’t plan to travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike this weekend, you still might run into extra traffic due to an 80-mile closure on the toll road.
The turnpike will be closed in both directions between the New Castle and Cranberry exits from Friday night through Monday morning. PennDOT’s official detour- which has to include roads that all types of traffic can travel including tractor trailers and heavy loads- is 80 miles long, or approximately 75 minutes out of your way. It uses Interstate 79-to Interstate 80-to Interstate 376.
Many drivers in personal vehicles will be looking for short-cuts around the detour, including Route 422 which runs from Interstate 79 to New Castle. Back roads could see excessive traffic as well.
Crews will use the closure to replace a bridge in Beaver County.
According to PennDOT:
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.