The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions motorists that eight traffic stoppages of no more than 20 minutes each are scheduled starting from 9 p.m. Wednesday until approximately 5 a.m. Thursday on Route 903 and I-476, weather permitting.

The stoppages are due to the $23 million construction of an E-Z Pass-only exit along the turnpike’s Northeastern Extension between the Mahoning Valley and Pocono interchanges.

The project is completely funded by toll dollars and is being built by New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc., ofNew Enterprise.

The construction involves placing steel girders on the new structure that carries Route 903 over the turnpike.

The work zone on I-476 will have reduced speeds of 55 mph and motorists will be stopped northbound at the Mahoning Valley interchange (Exit 74) and southbound at the Pocono interchange (Exit 95).

Motorists will come to a complete stop in advance of the bridge at milepost A87 in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County.

Turnpike customers stopped at the Hickory Run Service Plaza will not be permitted to re-enter I-476 northbound during these 20-minute stoppages.

Stoppages will also occur on Route 903 for travelers in both directions.

While steel girders are placed onto the bridge via crane, traffic will be reduced to one lane.

When the beams are erected, it will be necessary for both lanes of traffic to close.

Motorists can tune to radio 1640 AM for information on the stoppages and traffic conditions, or call the Turnpike Roadway Information line at 866-976-8747.Suggested Alternate Routes:Traveling southbound on I-476: Exit at the Pocono Interchange and follow Interstate 80 east to Exit 284 to Route 115 south to Route 209 south to re-enter I-476 at the Mahoning Valley Interchange.

Traveling northbound on I-476: Exit at the Mahoning Valley Interchange and take Route 209 north to Route 115 north to Interstate 80 west to Exit 277 to re-enter I-476 at the Pocono Interchange.