PA Turnpike to redesign Breezewood Interchange

BREEZEWOOD, Pa. (WTAJ) — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission announced the beginning phases of a plan to redesign the Breezewood Interchange on Tuesday.

Over 5 million drivers utilized the interchange in 2022, with 37% of those commuters being truck drivers. The project aims to prevent a speed bump in terms of travel.

“It’s a way to improve our roadway safety and just provide a better experience for our travelers,” Marissa Orbanek, the press secretary for the Pennsylvania Turnpike said.

The project will span across three miles of Interstate 76, from mile markers 160 to 163. Crews will be asked to expand the roads to six lanes, from its current four-lane structure, add space to the shoulders and medians, and a new connection to Interstate 70.

The commission does not want to destroy the current infrastructure but rather maintain the access points into Breezewood. This project looks to not only impact drivers but also the area.

“Redesigning the Breezewood Interchange will have a significant impact on Pennsylvania drivers, visitors and commercial customers,” Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary and PA Turnpike Commission Chair Mike Carroll said. “Beyond reducing congestion and improving travel times, a connection to I-70 enhances safety, air quality and accessibility to the roadway, while turning land back over to the community for development. There’s also an opportunity to enhance our Commonwealth’s truck parking capacity and improve access to safe parking.”

This project goes hand-in-hand with the PTC’s Open Road Tolling, which will remove the electronic tolling with gantries. This will keep cars moving at highway speed without the threat of accidents on the turnpike.

“It reduces accidents and improves the environment,” Orbanek added. “It is a much more safer experience for travelers on the turnpike.”

Officials feel redesign will benefit the community in multiple ways. The biggest ones will be the decrease in carbon emissions and the lack of “stop-and-go” traffic.

“When our travelers are doing the stop-and-go traffic, it increases emissions into the environment,” Orbanek said. “It also increases the risk of some rear end collisions. So we know that safety is always a factor when you have the stop-and-go traffic.”

The project looks to expand undeveloped land with the installation of the gantries. This gives Breezewood and Bedford County entrepreneurs a chance to build new businesses in an area filled with plenty of commerce.

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“We are proud to continue supporting the Commonwealth with safe and accessible roadways that serve as a catalyst for potential economic development, and we believe the redesign of the Breezewood Interchange can provide more convenient access for Pennsylvania residents and visitors,” PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said. “This milestone marks a significant step forward in enhancing transportation infrastructure, connectivity and opportunities in the Breezewood area.”

Bids are open with the due date set to be Oct. 17. The commission will award the project in the spring of 2025.

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