The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises motorists traveling on the Northeastern Extension (I-476) north from Lehigh Valley (Exit #56) and south from Mahoning Valley (Exit #74), to be prepared for bi-directional single-lane traffic patterns, stoppages and two-way traffic in the northbound Lehigh Tunnel tonight, 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.

At 8 p.m., construction crews will establish a single-lane traffic pattern, closing the left lane northbound (milepost A70.1 - A71.9) and southbound (milepost A73.2 - A70.4).

At approximately 8:15 p.m. traffic traveling northbound and southbound will be stopped in both directions (no more than 15 minutes) to allow crews to complete the pattern and divert traffic into the northbound tunnel. Once traffic has been shifted, the southbound tunnel will be closed until the patterns are lifted by 5 a.m. Wednesday morning.

The traffic restrictions are needed as work to install a heat detector system in the roof of the southbound tunnel continues. Motorists traveling on I-476 should stay alert for slow moving or stopped traffic approaching the Lehigh Tunnel through October.

Drivers are also advised to slow down, keep an adequate distance from the vehicle ahead and never pass inside the tunnel. Customers who experience car trouble and cannot safely exit the tunnel should stay in the car, put on the hazard lights and wait for assistance. Tunnel personnel will monitor closed-circuit cameras and send help for disabled vehicles.