Sunday Work Postponed; Tuesday Closures Still Scheduled

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has alerted motorists to expect temporary overnight traffic disruptions this week as part of construction tied to its upcoming Open Road Tolling (ORT) initiative, which is expected to go live in 2027.

Originally, construction was scheduled for multiple locations during the early morning hours on Sunday, June 22, and Tuesday, June 24. However, the commission announced Friday afternoon that Sunday’s work has been postponed to a later date, likely due to weather conditions or logistical factors. Tuesday’s scheduled construction remains unchanged.

The planned work is part of a major infrastructure upgrade designed to modernize the toll collection system across the Turnpike. The Open Road Tolling project will eliminate traditional toll booths and instead utilize gantries equipped with license plate recognition and E-ZPass readers. This transformation is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce emissions, and enhance driver safety by eliminating stop-and-go bottlenecks.

To prepare for this shift, Turnpike crews will be erecting monotube gantries—massive overhead structures that hold tolling and signage equipment—at designated mile markers.

According to the Turnpike Commission’s press release:

“To allow Turnpike and construction crews to safely erect the monotube gantries over the roadway, traffic paces are scheduled at the following dates and locations in both directions:

Sunday, June 22, 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.: Milepost 241.1 (between Gettysburg Pike and Harrisburg East Interchanges)
Sunday, June 22, 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.: Milepost 276.2 (between Lebanon-Lancaster and Reading Interchanges)
Tuesday, June 24, 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.: Milepost 156.1 (between Bedford and Breezewood Interchanges)”

With Sunday’s work now delayed, all eyes turn to Tuesday’s activity, which is still scheduled to proceed during the early morning hours. The traffic paces—temporary controlled slowdowns—will allow workers to operate equipment safely over live traffic lanes.

The commission also emphasized that schedules may shift depending on weather conditions, and motorists should be prepared for unannounced delays or diversions.

“The construction will be accompanied by PA Turnpike maintenance and state police vehicles.”

These escorts will help manage traffic flow and ensure safety for both construction workers and drivers.

The Turnpike Commission encourages travelers to monitor traffic updates and plan accordingly to avoid unnecessary delays. Real-time information on road conditions, closures, and travel advisories is available at 511PA.com and through the 511PA mobile app, which is free for iOS and Android users.

With millions of motorists using the Turnpike each year, this ORT transition represents a significant investment in Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure, one that prioritizes efficiency, safety, and long-term modernization.

Originally reported by Sean Adams in Penn Live.