Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) advises drivers in the State College area to expect significant traffic congestion near the Interstate 80 eastbound on-ramp at the Bellefonte interchange on Friday afternoon as Penn State University dismisses for Thanksgiving break.
PennDOT expects high volumes of traffic leaving campus via Interstate 99 northbound, which is likely to cause congestion at the interchange. That congestion could lead to backups for those attempting to turn onto I-80 eastbound. Additionally, traffic heading to State College for the Nittany Lions home football matchup against Nebraska will create more congestion in the area. PennDOT urges motorists to choose alternate routes to avoid congestion or alter travel plans to avoid rush hour traffic.
PennDOT will have a pilot vehicle cycling between the I-80 westbound exit and eastbound entrance at reduced speed. The goal is for this slow-moving pilot vehicle to allow more traffic making the left onto to I-80 eastbound more time to turn onto the highway. Do not attempt to pass this pilot vehicle if you encounter it.
PennDOT will also activate its changeable message signs in the area to alert drivers to the potential for traffic congestion and delays.
Additionally, Pennsylvania State Police are expected to be present at the interchange to monitor the situation.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict2.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Timothy Nebgen, tnebgen@pa.gov or 814-765-0598
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