The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announces that 12 permanent Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) will be installed and activated at 11 locations on the Pa. Turnpike (I-76/I-276) east of the Lebanon-Lancaster Interchange (Exit #266) and west of the Bensalem Interchange (Exit #351) starting this spring.
The Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) will be installed on the Turnpike mainline in Lancaster, Berks, Chester, Montgomery and Bucks counties.
The Design/Build Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) $2.8 million contract – funded entirely by toll revenues without any tax dollars – was recently awarded to the low bidder Carr & Duff, Inc. of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., to provide a real time travel advisory system eastbound and westbound between milepost 282.7 and 346.8.
The permanent DMS structures will be strategically located on the Pa. Turnpike eastbound at mileposts: 282.7 297.8, 308.6, 316.2, 334.7, and 339.9 and westbound at 290.5, 301.9, 315.9, 332.1, 334.7, and 346.8.
Travel conditions and other travel related messages concerning incidents and delays will be displayed as needed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However higher priority messages will be displayed in the event of a major incident, hazardous weather conditions, AMBER alerts or other emergencies on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Advanced notification of major work activities impacting traffic on Interstates 76 and 276 will be provided via regional media, dynamic message signs, and postings on the Turnpike website at www.paturnpike.com.
The Turnpike mainline between Harrisburg and the Delaware River Bridge averages more than 65,500 vehicles a day.
Carr & Duff anticipates the design process to last approximately two-three months with construction scheduled from April/May 2014 through August 2015.
