Turnpike traffic delays expected as lighting project begins in Somerset County

Motorists taking the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County can expect overnight delays starting Monday as a lighting replacement project gets underway.

The Turnpike Commission says single-lane patterns and two-way traffic go into effect for the next eight months at the Allegheny Tunnel located at milepost 122.

Crews will be putting a crossover pattern in place to divert traffic into one tunnel resulting in bi-directional traffic Monday through Thursday beginning at 8 p.m. each night in June. The eastbound tunnel will be closed first, which means bi-directional traffic traveling in the westbound tunnel.

The overnight work is part of a two-year project needed to replace all lighting in both tunnels. The traffic restrictions needed as a result of this project should end in January of 2021 depending on weather conditions, according to the Turnpike Commission.

The lighting project is in addition to the daytime maintenance work that is occurring inside the Allegheny Tunnel which will be completed June 25.

No work will take place over the July Fourth holiday and all restrictions will be lifted in anticipation of higher traffic volumes. After the holiday, crews will work a Monday through Friday schedule beginning at 8 p.m. each night.