WASHINGTON â?? U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, PA-11, announced that his district offices in Plains Township and Taylor will close on Thursday, Dec. 20.

His office in Hazleton will remain open to handle constituent service requests until offices in the new 11th District are opened in early 2013.

Because of congressional redistricting, the offices along Route 315 near Wilkes-Barre and on Main Street in Taylor will no longer be in Barlettaâ??s territory.

The phone numbers for the Plains Township and Taylor offices will not be in service after Dec. 20.

Those two offices must close by the end of the year, and their contents will be moved to Barlettaâ??s new offices. The locations of the new offices are still being finalized and will be announced soon.

Eleventh District constituents who need help dealing with federal agencies during the transition can contact Barlettaâ??s Hazleton District Office at (570) 751-0050. Those wishing to speak about policy issues can continue to contact Barlettaâ??s Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-6511 or toll-free at (855) 241-5144.