Heavy traffic expected on the Pa. Turnpike over the Labor Day Weekend

Millions of Vehicles Expected to Travel Pa. Turnpike over Labor Day Weekend

Nearly 2.25 million vehicles are expected to be on the Pennsylvania Turnpike over the four-day Labor Day weekend. With that amount of traffic, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) wants to remind motorists to move over for emergency vehicles whenever possible.

That means steering clear of any first responder vehicle with its lights activated in an emergency response area including maintenance vehicles, tow trucks, police, fire and/or ambulance vehicles.

Traffic is expected to be the heaviest on Friday with 750,000 vehicles predicted to hit the roadway. The peak travel time that day will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Labor Day is also expected to be a heavy traffic day with peak travel time being from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The fine for not moving over or slowing down for an emergency response vehicle is $250 along with a possible 90-day license suspension if a driver causes bodily injury.

To prepare for this surge in travel, maintenance and construction activities will be suspended beginning Sept. 2 at 5 a.m. until Sept. 6 at 11 p.m. This will allow all travel lanes to be open to traffic except in the case of emergencies. Construction activity that does not impact travel lanes may continue behind concrete barriers in some areas, thereby reducing shoulder widths. However, at least two lanes in each direction will remain open except in the case of emergencies.

To report an accident or other emergency on the PA Turnpike, dial *11 via mobile phone.