The Pennsylvania Turnpike advises motorists traveling on the Northeastern Extension (I-476) to the Lehigh Tunnel that the northbound tunnel will be closed from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday.

The closure is necessary to allow crews to safely perform tunnel inspections and camera maintenance.By 8 a.m. on March 9, the northbound tunnel will be closed. All traffic will be diverted into the southbound tunnel until 2 p.m. when the patterns are lifted.The Lehigh Tunnel is located at milepost A70-A71 between the Lehigh Valley, Exit 56, and Mahoning Valley, Exit 74, interchanges in Carbon County.Traffic message boards will be activated to update motorists of any changes to the schedule caused by inclement weather or unforeseen traffic conditions. If the closures are delayed, they will occur on the next available day.Motorists traveling on I-476 should stay alert when entering the tunnel and turn on their headlights. 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.