Portable toilets replace public restroom facilities along Pa. Turnpike

Travelers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike on Tuesday discovered no public toilets or fast food at any of the 17 service plazas along the 360-mile toll road.

As of midnight, the commission locked the restrooms at all service plazas in response to the coronavirus pandemic, in an effort to safeguard employees and travelers, and installed portable toilets, according to turnpike spokeswoman Roseanne Placey.

All fast food restaurants at service plazas are closed as well until further notice.

PennDOT also announced that state welcome centers are closed.

Motorists can still buy fuel. Convenience stores inside the plazas will remain open.

“These measures were put in place not only to protect our customers, but our workers as well. And travelers can be assured that the portable toilets will be maintained and sanitary,” Placey said.

The agency announced as of 8 p.m. Monday it temporarily stopped accepting cash at tollbooths.

Drivers are instructed not to stop at tollbooths. Tolls will be assessed electronically via E-ZPass or the turnpike’s Toll by Plate program as vehicles travel through tolling points.

Signs at the Pittsburgh interchange in Monroeville stated “Keep it moving we will bill you.”

More information is available at www.paturnpike.com.