ALLENTOWN – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Engineering District 5 announced its work schedule for area roads for motorists traveling to Pocono Raceway this weekend.  District 5 includes Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Schuylkill counties. 

“We understand the need to keep traffic flowing for major race events, and are happy to report we have suspended all maintenance operations on Interstates 78, 80, 81 and 380 for the tens of thousands of race fans who will meet in Long Pond this weekend,” Assistant District Executive for Construction Alfred A. Picca, P.E. said.  “However, there is a single lane construction work zone on I-80 west, and on I-81 north and south in Schuylkill County, so drivers are encouraged to use caution driving through those areas.” 

There will be no maintenance work on Interstates 78, 80, 81 and 380 in District 5 from 6 a.m. Friday (August 1) to 6 a.m. Monday (August 4). 

Also, there will be no work performed Friday through Monday on secondary roads (Routes 115, 209, 534, 903, Long Pond Road, Kuhnenbeaker Road) in Carbon and Monroe counties.

Motorists should be aware there is a single lane condition on I-80 west in Carbon and Monroe counties for less than one mile between the PA 115 interchange (Exit 284) and PA 940/PA Turnpike interchange (Exit 277) for a bridge replacement project.  There are also single lane conditions on I-81 north and south in Schuylkill County between the Highridge Park Road (Exit 119) and the US 209 interchange (Exit 107) for a highway rehabilitation project.      

Motorists traveling in the area are reminded to allow extra travel time in their commute to navigate through the race traffic.  Additionally, motorists are advised to use extra caution, reduce speeds, and allow extra space between vehicles to contend with sudden stops or slow moving traffic.