Businesses at the Donegal interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike got some surprise relief Monday from the ongoing construction project as westbound on- and offramps reopened two days ahead of schedule.
The ramps have been closed since July 15 to allow crews to demolish the eastbound half of the bridge that carries turnpike traffic over the westbound entry and exit lanes at Donegal. The demolition project was expected to take 10 days.
"We are quite pleased that the contractor was able to get the job done ahead of schedule, minimizing the impact to our customers and to the local residents and businesspeople who rely on the Pennsylvania Turnpike," said John T. Durbin, the turnpike commission's executive director.
Good weather during the construction was a factor in the early opening, he said.
Crews will now focus on constructing a new, wider structure to replace the demolished half of the bridge.
Next summer, an additional 10-day closure is scheduled on the northern portion of the bridge.
Durbin cited New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc. of New Enterprise, Bedford County, the general contractor; and Dick Corp. of Pittsburgh, the construction manager, for their work on the project.
The work is park of the total reconstruction of the turnpike between mileposts 85 and 94 in Westmoreland County. The $66.8-million project involves a complete rebuild of the highway and marks the first time the segment of the toll road has been replaced since it opened 61 years ago.
Other work that will occur as part of the project includes a new interchange configuration consisting of a new bridge, new on- and offramps, new lighting and the construction of a new, third eastbound lane between mileposts 89 and 94.
The nine-mile project is to be completed in the fall of 2005.
