PennDOT to close 86-mile stretch of Turnpike overnight Saturday - TribLIVE

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An 86-mile stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike will be closed in both directions late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, because of construction.

Between 11 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday, construction crews will be working to remove the Country Ridge Road bridge, which carries traffic over the turnpike in Bedford Township. According to a news release, blasting will be used to remove the bridge.

The turnpike will be closed between New Stanton (Exit 75) and Breezewood (Exit 161).

PennDOT has suggested detour routes for both eastbound and westbound traffic that equals more than 100 miles. The lengthy detours are needed, PennDOT said, because shorter alternate routes cannot safely accomodate the diverted traffic volumes.

Drivers can still enter the turnpike at Somerset (Exit 110) and Donegal (Exit 91) to travel westbound.

For eastbound travel, drivers can enter the turnpike at Bedford interchange (Exit 146).

Below are the suggested alternate routes.

Eastbound traffic:

• Exit at New Stanton interchange;

• Follow U.S. Route 66 Business north for 0.2 mile;

• Follow PA Toll Route 66 north for 14.2 miles;

• Follow U.S. Route 22 east for 63.7 miles;

• Follow Interstate 99 south for 30.4 miles;

• Follow U.S. Route 30 east for 18.3 miles;

• Reenter PA Turnpike at Breezewood Interchange.

Westbound traffic: