The Pa. Turnpike Commission is assisting PennDOT in managing traffic during an emergency closure of Interstate 81 near Harrisburg as work is completed on an overhead bridge damaged by fire this morning.
Starting at 4 p.m. today, the Pa. Turnpike (I-76) will waive tolls for trips entering at the Harrisburg East Interchange (#247) and exiting at the Carlisle Interchange (#226) and also for trips entering at Carlisle and exiting Harrisburg East. The free passage will pertain to all vehicle classes, including all passenger and commercial vehicles, eastbound or westbound for this specific trip only.
All other Turnpike trips and transactions will be charged as normal.
Normal tolling procedures will apply during the waiver; E-ZPass customers must use E-ZPass lanes and cash customers must use the cash lanes, take a ticket at entry and surrender that ticket to a toll collector at exit. YOU MUST PRESENT A TICKET AT EXIT FOR THE TOLL TO BE WAIVED.
The waiver of tolls will be in place until Interstate I-81 reopens, which could occur May 12 or 13.
Motorists should prepare for traffic delays in the Greater Harrisburg area both on and off the Turnpike system.
Turnpike motorists can get up-to-date travel conditions by calling 866-976-TRIP (8747). This toll-free number gives audio advisories for the region in which you are traveling, including delays and closures. A free Turnpike smartphone app, “TRIP Talk,” streams audio advisories to iPhone and Droid users. To download the app, visit www.paturnpike.com/triptalk. Users do not have to create an account, register or sign up to use TRIP Talk.