The Pennsylvania Turnpike will be closed between the New Stanton and Breezewood interchanges this weekend to clear a tractor-trailer crash that occurred Monday night.
According to a report from the Pennsylvania State Police, the tractor-trailer crashed near mile marker 103.5 westbound in Somerset County. The report states that the vehicle went through the guardrail and into a ditch, striking an embankment. The driver, who was sent to UPMC Somerset for a legal blood draw, was later charged with driving under the influence.
The last time a tractor-trailer truck crashed on the Turnpike near Westmoreland County was June 30. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s 2022 report, there were 51 tractor trailer crashes that resulted from driving under the influence. This equates to 0.6% of drunk driving crashes in 2022.
The 86-mile stretch will be closed from 11 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday. The Turnpike Commission advises motorists to avoid the area if possible. The detour, over 100 miles long, directs travelers to exit at the Breezewood interchange, follow Route 30 west for 19 miles, connect to I-99 north for 30 miles, follow Route 22 for 65 miles and take Route 66 south 14 miles before reentering the Turnpike at the New Stanton interchange.
Travelers will be permitted to enter the Turnpike at the Donegal interchange and travel westbound during the closure. Eastbound travelers will also be permitted during the closure, but traffic will be limited to one lane beginning 8 p.m. Saturday.
