Carlisle, Pa. - A 65-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be closed in both directions for five hours this weekend between the Breezewood and Carlisle exits.

The Turnpike Commision says the closure is neccessary while contractors demolish two bridges in Cumberland County.

Eastbound traffic will be diverted off the Turnpike at the Breezewood Interchange beginning at 11 p.m. on Saturday. At 11:30 p.m., westbound traffic will be detoured off the Turnpike at the Carlisle Interchange.

Exiting motorists will receive a card with directions to get back onto the Turnpike. It is estimated the detour will add 30 minutes of travel time and 33 miles to the trip.

The closure will also affect traffic entering at the three interchanges between Carlisle and Breezewood. There will be no entry onto the Turnpike from the Blue Mountain Interchange, and westbound-only entry for vehicles entering at Willow Hill and Fort Littleton.

The Turnpike should reopen to one lane in each direction Sunday by 4 a.m., and open fully by 8 a.m.

The two concrete bridges will be blasted and replaced. One bridge carries Three Square Hollow Road over the Turnpike in Hopewell Township, while the other carries McAllister Church Road over the Turnpike in West Pennsboro Township.

The new bridges will open to traffic by late November.

The Detour

Westbound motorists exiting at Carlisle will follow Route 11 North to Interstate 81 South into Maryland, where they will follow Interstate 70 West to Route 30 East and reenter the Turnpike at Breezewood.

Eastbound motorists exiting at Breezewood will follow Route 30 West to Interstate 70 East  and then take Interstate 81 North to Route 11 South and reenter the Turnpike at Carlisle.

 

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