PA Turnpike News

[Flyer78]

[...] I remember when it was $10 while I was in school.

Chatting about the new gantry system replacing the "coin-drop" plazas on the NE Extension, I commented that I remember when those opened at 35 cents each for Clark Summit and the new Kaiser Rd - and the response hurt "well, that was over 30 years ago..." Sigh.

[ARMOURERERIC]

Just noticed on the PTC bid listing page that MP 320-324 goes out to bid 10/29/25.

[roadman65]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16pAw4mbgh/

Some old photos with on the mainline at the Susquehanna River and another of the hexagon toll booths from the original toll system.

[wildcat7176]

Just noticed on the PTC bid listing page that MP 320-324 goes out to bid 10/29/25.

I was wondering when they were going to start that, I believe they had said it would start this summer, but obviously that isn't happening. That will leave MP 316-320 as the last missing link to 6 lanes from Downingtown to Bensalem.

[webny99]

Just noticed on the PTC bid listing page that MP 320-324 goes out to bid 10/29/25.

I was wondering when they were going to start that, I believe they had said it would start this summer, but obviously that isn't happening. That will leave MP 316-320 as the last missing link to 6 lanes from Downingtown to Bensalem.

Will the last couple of miles to I-95 eventually be six lanes as well? PTC has this handy map showing the status of current and future projects, but everything east of Bensalem is still fairly muddled as far as I can tell.

[wildcat7176]

Just noticed on the PTC bid listing page that MP 320-324 goes out to bid 10/29/25.

I was wondering when they were going to start that, I believe they had said it would start this summer, but obviously that isn't happening. That will leave MP 316-320 as the last missing link to 6 lanes from Downingtown to Bensalem.

Will the last couple of miles to I-95 eventually be six lanes as well? PTC has this handy map showing the status of current and future projects, but everything east of Bensalem is still fairly muddled as far as I can tell.

Yes it is all pretty muddled for that area. I don't even know what the status is on completing the additional movements for the Turnpike/I-95 interchange right now. On the latest aerials it looks like they created a dirt path that will presumably be the routing for the ramp from I-276 east to I-95 south, but otherwise I don't see any official publications.

[vdeane]

Just noticed on the PTC bid listing page that MP 320-324 goes out to bid 10/29/25.

I was wondering when they were going to start that, I believe they had said it would start this summer, but obviously that isn't happening. That will leave MP 316-320 as the last missing link to 6 lanes from Downingtown to Bensalem.

Will the last couple of miles to I-95 eventually be six lanes as well? PTC has this handy map showing the status of current and future projects, but everything east of Bensalem is still fairly muddled as far as I can tell.

Given that the NJ side is and the plan is to twin or replace the bridge over the Delaware River, probably.

[webny99]

Just noticed on the PTC bid listing page that MP 320-324 goes out to bid 10/29/25.

I was wondering when they were going to start that, I believe they had said it would start this summer, but obviously that isn't happening. That will leave MP 316-320 as the last missing link to 6 lanes from Downingtown to Bensalem.

Will the last couple of miles to I-95 eventually be six lanes as well? PTC has this handy map showing the status of current and future projects, but everything east of Bensalem is still fairly muddled as far as I can tell.

Given that the NJ side is and the plan is to twin or replace the bridge over the Delaware River, probably.

True, although that project seems to be progressing fairly slowly, and wouldn't necessarily involve anything on I-276 beyond the I-95 split.

[Jim]

I was sure this graphic had to be wrong for the PA Turnpike cost for a 2-axle vehicle but looks like it's correct when using toll-by-plate.  Insane.

https://x.com/amazingmap/status/1965138124146610558

[Rothman]

I was sure this graphic had to be wrong for the PA Turnpike cost for a 2-axle vehicle but looks like it's correct when using toll-by-plate.  Insane.

https://x.com/amazingmap/status/1965138124146610558

If you go the whole distance rather than cutting up to I-78, that would be foolish.

[akotchi]

Just noticed on the PTC bid listing page that MP 320-324 goes out to bid 10/29/25.

I was wondering when they were going to start that, I believe they had said it would start this summer, but obviously that isn't happening. That will leave MP 316-320 as the last missing link to 6 lanes from Downingtown to Bensalem.

Will the last couple of miles to I-95 eventually be six lanes as well? PTC has this handy map showing the status of current and future projects, but everything east of Bensalem is still fairly muddled as far as I can tell.

There is currently construction to widen the mile or so immediately west of the I-95 ramps, including the Neshaminy Creek bridge.  Plan is ultimately to widen the whole section to six lanes, as the local road overpasses have all been replaced with longer structures.  Of interest, when it occurs, will be the reconfiguration of the toll plaza area, given the express portion of the formal configuration is only two lanes.

[vdeane]

I was sure this graphic had to be wrong for the PA Turnpike cost for a 2-axle vehicle but looks like it's correct when using toll-by-plate.  Insane.

https://x.com/amazingmap/status/1965138124146610558

If you go the whole distance rather than cutting up to I-78, that would be foolish.

It appears to be based on OH-NJ rather than OH-Clark's Summit, so it would depend on where you're going in NJ.

[Rothman]

I was sure this graphic had to be wrong for the PA Turnpike cost for a 2-axle vehicle but looks like it's correct when using toll-by-plate.  Insane.

https://x.com/amazingmap/status/1965138124146610558

If you go the whole distance rather than cutting up to I-78, that would be foolish.

It appears to be based on OH-NJ rather than OH-Clark's Summit, so it would depend on where you're going in NJ.

I can't imagine many people go the full way west to east.  Perhaps as far as Philly...so...somewhat less.

[webny99]

Even so, I'd be willing to pay higher tolls on the Thruway if it meant there was funding to actively widen the mainline.

[storm2k]

I was sure this graphic had to be wrong for the PA Turnpike cost for a 2-axle vehicle but looks like it's correct when using toll-by-plate.  Insane.

https://x.com/amazingmap/status/1965138124146610558

If you go the whole distance rather than cutting up to I-78, that would be foolish.

It appears to be based on OH-NJ rather than OH-Clark's Summit, so it would depend on where you're going in NJ.

For most destinations in NJ (and I assume the ultimate goal is NYC, but if you're going to NYC you'd just take 80 all the way across PA and NJ), 76 -> 81 -> 78 is the better route.

[webny99]

If you go the whole distance rather than cutting up to I-78, that would be foolish.

It appears to be based on OH-NJ rather than OH-Clark's Summit, so it would depend on where you're going in NJ.

For most destinations in NJ (and I assume the ultimate goal is NYC, but if you're going to NYC you'd just take 80 all the way across PA and NJ), 76 -> 81 -> 78 is the better route.

Northern NJ, that is. Traffic to southern NJ would likely use I-76 through Philly, and central NJ (e.g. I-195 corridor) would use I-276 to I-95.

[Rothman]

If you go the whole distance rather than cutting up to I-78, that would be foolish.

It appears to be based on OH-NJ rather than OH-Clark's Summit, so it would depend on where you're going in NJ.

For most destinations in NJ (and I assume the ultimate goal is NYC, but if you're going to NYC you'd just take 80 all the way across PA and NJ), 76 -> 81 -> 78 is the better route.

Northern NJ, that is. Traffic to southern NJ would likely use I-76 through Philly, and central NJ (e.g. I-195 corridor) would use I-276 to I-95.

There's nothing in South Jersey.

[jeffandnicole]

If you go the whole distance rather than cutting up to I-78, that would be foolish.

It appears to be based on OH-NJ rather than OH-Clark's Summit, so it would depend on where you're going in NJ.

For most destinations in NJ (and I assume the ultimate goal is NYC, but if you're going to NYC you'd just take 80 all the way across PA and NJ), 76 -> 81 -> 78 is the better route.

Northern NJ, that is. Traffic to southern NJ would likely use I-76 through Philly, and central NJ (e.g. I-195 corridor) would use I-276 to I-95.

There's nothing in South Jersey.

I'm a nothing. 

PA is a big state to cross, and there's lots of points of entry so there's no one essy solution to avoiding the Turnpike. But it can be done. Last weekend I went from the Philly area to Cleveland without using the Turnpike. It involved a lot of smaller 2 and 4 lane roads to get between the Schuylkill Expressway and I-80, but didn't really take all that much longer and saved over $50 each way.

[Rothman]

If you go the whole distance rather than cutting up to I-78, that would be foolish.

It appears to be based on OH-NJ rather than OH-Clark's Summit, so it would depend on where you're going in NJ.

For most destinations in NJ (and I assume the ultimate goal is NYC, but if you're going to NYC you'd just take 80 all the way across PA and NJ), 76 -> 81 -> 78 is the better route.

Northern NJ, that is. Traffic to southern NJ would likely use I-76 through Philly, and central NJ (e.g. I-195 corridor) would use I-276 to I-95.

There's nothing in South Jersey.

I'm a nothing. 

PA is a big state to cross, and there's lots of points of entry so there's no one essy solution to avoiding the Turnpike. But it can be done. Last weekend I went from the Philly area to Cleveland without using the Turnpike. It involved a lot of smaller 2 and 4 lane roads to get between the Schuylkill Expressway and I-80, but didn't really take all that much longer and saved over $50 each way.

Fine, amended: Everyone in Ohio wants to visit Jeff and therefore they go the entire length of the Turnpike. ;D

[Mr. Matté]

I'm a Centralian so I'm not a nothing provided you think I exist. Getting through MontCo is a slog because of the arterial roads being on that diagonal grid and most roads being signal heavy two-lane roads. If I'm heading to somewhere in south central/west PA, I'm pretty much forced to take the Tpke. for a short distance. My usual trick heading west is to shunpike the bridge at Trenton Makes, get on at US 1, and get off at Mid-County or Valley Forget to get onto the 202 and 30 freeways.

[Dough4872]

I live in the northern suburbs of Philly right near the turnpike we are pretty much forced to use it when we travel west. When I went to Chicago we followed the turnpike straight west (minus a detour to Pittsburgh) however coming back we used I-80 and the Northeast Extension in order to save some money.

[Dough4872]

Does the Pennsylvania Turnpike still use 1640 AM for highway advisory radio? I haven't seen signs for it the past few years and the website and recent press releases make no mention of it. However, I have seen nothing mentioning if it was discontinued. I know with the advances in technology the use for a highway advisory radio station is less necessary.

[pderocco]

Does the Pennsylvania Turnpike still use 1640 AM for highway advisory radio? I haven't seen signs for it the past few years and the website and recent press releases make no mention of it. However, I have seen nothing mentioning if it was discontinued. I know with the advances in technology the use for a highway advisory radio station is less necessary.

They switched to soft rock.