The Pennsylvania Turnpike reports that motorists traveling northbound and southbound on the turnpike's Northeastern Extension will be stopped a maximum of 20 minutes at noon Dec. 7, 8, 9 and 10. The daytime stoppages will occur south of the Lehigh Tunnel and north of the Mahoning Valley Interchange (Exit 74).

State Police will stop traffic around noon Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday south of the Lehigh Tunnel at the Slatington Maintenance facility where Mountain Road crosses the Turnpike, north of the Mahoning Valley Interchange; and traffic entering the Northeastern Extension from Route 209 will be stopped at the toll plaza.The general contractor, Walsh Construction, will suspend the excavation of the rock slope after next week's scheduled work is completed and resume mid-January 2010. The demolition and 20-minute stoppages will then continue for several months Mondays through Thursdays between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to safely complete the rock-slope demolition without jeopardizing worker and motorist safety.Motorists should continue to anticipate traffic delays during the entire length of the project; to avoid delays seek alternate routes. The work is weather sensitive and may be delayed or rescheduled and travel advisories will be posted on the project Web site

www.lehighbridge.com as needed.Also, motorists traveling on the in the vicinity of the Pocono (Exit 95) Interchange should be prepared for a bi-directional shoulder pattern at various locations next Monday through Friday.All work will be performed between milepost A88-A96 from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. The contractor's schedule is weather permitting and subject to change.