UPDATE:
A 65-mile section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between the Breezewood (Exit #161) and Carlisle (Exit #266) that was closed eastbound due to an earlier accident near milepost 222 is back open.
Crews repaired the guiderail and removed the damaged truck and trailer from the area, according to Turnpike officials.
Original report:
A 65-mile portion of the eastbound Pa. Turnpike will close for about four hours as crews work to retrieve a vehicle and repair a broken guiderail from an accident earlier this morning near the Cumberland County interchange.
The accident happened shortly after 5 a.m. near milepost 222 between Blue Mountain and Carlisle.
The recommended detour for eastbound motorists; exit at Breezewood (#161), take State Route 30 west (.3 miles) to I-70 east (I-70 exit MD #26), (48 miles) to I-81 north (58 miles) to State Route 11 south to reenter at Carlisle Interchange (#226).
Turnpike officials say the 41-mile detour is necessary because the shorter alternate routes cannot safely accommodate the high volume of traffic that needs to be rerouted. The detour will add about an hour of travel time.
Eastbound traffic entering Fort Littleton (Exit #180) and Willow Hill (Exit #189) interchanges will not be able to travel east of the Blue Mountain Interchange (Exit #201). Traffic entering Blue Mountain Interchange will only be allowed to travel westbound.
Alternate-route cards will be available to exiting travelers at Breezewood during the closure. Expect higher traffic volumes on detour roads during the closure. Message boards will be placed to inform customers of the closure, and Highway Advisory Radio broadcasts at station 1640 AM also are being used to inform travelers.
