AJ News

Times Leader staff

A $2.6 million bridge replacement project will close 24 miles of the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike this weekend.

The turnpike in both directions between the Wyoming Valley interchange and Clarks Summit will be closed for six hours from midnight to 6 a.m. on Saturday and again on Sunday while a contractor places beams for a new bridge on Suscon Road in Pittston Township.

The 60-year-old bridge was demolished in late July prompting the closure of the turnpike at that time.

A 3.4-mile detour was established for drivers traveling on Suscon Road to state Route 315. Motorists are being directed south on Armstrong Road to get them to Route 315 in Jenkins Township.

The bridge placement project was awarded to Susquehanna Valley Construction Co., New Cumberland, in May.

The bridge is located about a mile north of the Wyoming Valley interchange and approximately 24 miles south of Clarks Summit.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and Sunday all northbound traffic will be diverted off at the Wyoming Valley interchange and onto Route 315 and Interstate 81 north.

Turnpike traffic south from Clarks Summit will be redirected to use Interstate 81 south and may enter the turnpike at the Wyoming Valley interchange.

No traffic will be allowed to enter the turnpike at the Keyser Avenue toll plaza.

The turnpike will reopen by 6 a.m. Sunday.