LEHIGHTON, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission plans to close a portion of the Northeast Extension for bridge repair this weekend.
One of the detours has drivers exiting the Mahoning Valley exit and getting on Route 209 if they are looking to travel south.
For Cherry's Family Restaurant manager Mary Battaglino the turnpike closure will hopefully boost business.
"I'm hoping it'll bring a lot more business. People that don't know we're here, they'll be passing us, and they'll stop and have something," Battaglino said.
Just a few miles south, Country Junction is also expecting an increase in business.
In a statement, Country Junction says:
"It's one of our busiest times for our store, and we receive a ton of traffic off the Turnpike. If customers are getting off at the Mahoning Valley Turnpike, we may gain some extra traffic."
While some businesses are anticipating a busy few days due to the highway being closed, others like Leo Fonseca, owner of D and P construction, say his company relies on the Turnpike to get supplies.
"I have my material yards right in Allentown right as you get off exit 56. It's going to hit us a lot of lost time what time and labor," Fonseca said.
For a cashier Emily Clements at the Fast Fill gas station in Lehighton, the weekend might be slower than others.
"Especially with people commuting going out of state, sadly, they come directly through here for the turnpike in with the detour or completely going to avoid this place," Clements said.
Clements says that although this business won't be too busy, she hopes others are able to take advantage of the Turnpike being closed.
"Other local businesses are thankfully going to get that as well now that the traffics gonna be redirected, but I do feel like it is certainly going to impact us," Clements added.
The Turnpike will close Friday at 9 p.m. and will not reopen till Monday, October 17, at 4 a.m.
For more information on the detours recommended by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, click here.
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR - LOCAL TRAFFIC:
Exit at Mahoning Valley Exit #74 and take U.S. Route 209 North to State Route 33 South (21.2 miles). Follow Route 33 South to U.S. Route 22 West (18.4 miles). Follow U.S. 22 West and reenter I-476 South at Lehigh Valley Interchange #56 (15.8 miles).
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR - THROUGH TRAFFIC:
Exit at Pocono Exit #95 and take Interstate 80 East to State Route 33 South (25.5 miles). Follow State Route 33 South to U.S. Route 22 West (23.6 miles). Follow U.S. Route 22 West and reenter I-476 South at Lehigh Valley Interchange Exit #56 (15.8 miles).
NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC:
Exit at Lehigh Valley Exit #56 and take U.S. Route 22 East to State Route 33 North (16.5 miles). Follow State Route 33 North to Interstate 80 West (24.5 miles). Follow Interstate 80 West and reenter I-476 at Pocono Interchange Exit #95 (25.1 miles).
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