Some motorists trying to get onto the Cranberry interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike will face some challenges for the next month.
That’s because crews will be performing maintenance work that will close parts of Route 19 approaching the interchange on Mondays through Thursdays beginning Monday. The approach ramps that will be closed will be the ramp from Route 19 south to the eastbound turnpike entrance and a connecting loop for northbound traffic on Route 19 to enter the turnpike headed east or west.
Crews are working from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. this week to prepare for the closures and traffic will be restricted to one 12-foot lane from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Friday morning.
Those ramps will be completely closed from 5 a.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Friday for the weeks beginning April 8, April 15, April 22 and April 29. The work should be finished by 5 a.m. on May 3.
Turnpike officials recommend the following detours:
- Southbound motorists on Route 19 who want to get on the turnpike heading east should turn left on Route 228, take the exit for Interstate 79 south and follow signs for the turnpike heading eastbound toward Harrisburg.
- North bound motorists on Route 19 heading for the turnpike in either direction should turn right on Route 228, take the exit for I-79 south and follow signs onto the turnpike heading east or west.
The work is part of a $10.4 million project to repair pavement on ramps and the main part of the interchange. Other work will include guiderail approach modification, drainage and guiderail upgrades, concrete patching on bridge barriers, inlet repairs, shoulder stabilization and permanent pavement markings.
The entire project should be finished in October 2025.
Ed covers transportation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but he's currently on strike. Email him at eblazina@unionprogress.com.