DONEGAL - The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced Monday the westbound on and off ramps of the Donegal interchange will not be shut down until after the July 4 holiday.
Turnpike public information manager Carl DeFabo said the closing will occur Tuesday, July 9, instead of the original date of Tuesday, June 18, partially because of concerns about the impact on traffic during the Independence Day holiday.
"Our traffic management department had some concerns about travelers - shutting that down just prior to the July 4 holiday," DeFabo said.
He said the contractor also had concerns whether all the necessary preparatory work would be completed prior to the June shutdown date.
He said the shutdown will occur at 12:01 a.m. July 9 and last 10 days, until July 19.
The interchange is considered the primary entrance and exit for motorists traveling to many tourists destinations in the Laurel Highlands, including Idlewild Park in Ligonier Township, Ohiopyle in Fayette County, and Seven Springs Mountain and Hidden Valley resorts in Somerset County.
DeFabo said plans are to close the westbound on and off ramps at the interchange to permit the demolition of one-half of the bridge structure carrying the main turnpike line over the ramps.
"Traffic in those lanes will be moved into two shifted lanes, so there will still be four lanes (two westbound and two eastbound) in that section. We believe the shutdown (of the ramps) is the safest way to complete this work," DeFabo said.
Another 10-day shutdown will be scheduled next spring to complete the demolition work on "the other half of that bridge."
"There will be no blasting there as part of the demolition. The concrete bridge will be hammered down," DeFabo said.
During the shutdown, westbound traffic which usually exits at Donegal, Exit 9, will be detoured off at Somerset. From Somerset, motorists will be advised to travel south on Route 601, to Route 31 west to Donegal.
For trucks which usually get on at Donegal to travel west, the detour will be to follow Route 711 north to Route 30 in Ligonier, where they will be directed to Toll Route 66 south to the New Stanton interchange, exit 8.
Automobiles which usually travel west will be detoured west on Route 31 to Route 119 to the New Stanton interchange.
The commission also has announced that single-lane patterns began on eastbound sections of the roadway Sunday and will last until Friday at 7 a.m. from milepost 90 to 94. Single-lane patterns westbound will begin Wednesday at 4 a.m. and last until midnight.
During the lane closures, construction crews will be placing temporary concrete barriers in the area.
DeFabo said the work is part of the $66.8 million, nine-mile reconstruction through eastern Westmoreland County from milepost 85 to milepost 94. In addition to rebuilding the interchange, the project also includes straightening curves, replacing bridges, adding a third eastbound lane from milepost 88.8 to milepost 94 and demolishing the former Donegal Motel next to the interchange.
It marks the first time this segment of the turnpike has been replaced from the ground since it was opened 61 years ago. The entire project is slated to be completed in the fall of 2005.
Dick Corp. of Pittsburgh is the construction manager for the job and New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co. of New Enterprise is the general contractor.
Peirce is a reporter for the Tribune-Review.
