The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission warns drivers to watch for slow-moving traffic.
The southbound Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 476) reopened about 4:30 this afternoon after being closed at the Lansdale interchange (Exit 31) due to emergency repairs, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says.
The commission warned drivers to watch for slow-moving traffic immediately following the highway reopening.
All traffic was being diverted onto Route 63 East to Route 309 South to the Fort Washington interchange (Exit 339) of the turnpike (Interstate 276). From there, drivers could head west to the Mid-County interchange and resume heading south on I-476.
"It's a bridge deck repair that had to be done right away," commission spokeswoman Mimi Doyle said of the reason for the closure.
She could not immediately say how much time the detour is adding on to southbound commutes on I-476.
The repairs were finished as of about 3:30 this afternoon, but the concrete needed time to cure.
Reports this afternoon of limited toll booths at the Lehigh Valley interchange stem from efforts to reduce traffic entering I-476 South, and to give booth attendants the chance to warn drivers of the closure, Doyle said.
Details of this afternoon's detour were as follows, from the commission:
Traveling southbound on I-476:
- Exit at Lansdale interchange (Exit 31). Turn left onto Sumneytown Pike. At the second light, turn left onto Forty Foot Road (State Route 63 East). Travel 1.5 miles and turn right onto Welsh Road (State Route 63 East) to U.S. Route 309 South to re-enter the turnpike at the Fort Washington interchange.
- Travel east on the turnpike (I-276) to get to Philadelphia and New Jersey. Travel west on the turnpike (I-276) to get to Harrisburg and points west. Motorists bound for I-476 South (Blue Route) to I-76 and I-95 should also follow the turnpike westbound from Fort Washington, exiting the turnpike at the Mid-County interchange (Exit 20) to continue southbound on I-476.