PennDOT warns drivers of ‘significant traffic congestion’ near Penn State on Friday
PennDOT warned of potentially significant traffic congestion around the State College area on Friday afternoon, thanks to Penn State students leaving for Thanksgiving break and football fans arriving for Saturday’s game.
In a news release, PennDOT specifically cautioned motorists about using the Bellefonte Interchange.
A high volume of traffic is expected to use Interstate 99 northbound, which could cause congestion at the interchange and could also lead to backups for those attempting to turn onto I-80 eastbound. To help ease the traffic, PennDOT will have a “pilot vehicle” cycling between the I-80 westbound exit and the eastbound entrance at a reduced speed.
“The goal is for this slow-moving pilot vehicle to allow more traffic making the left onto to I-80 eastbound more time to turn onto the highway,” PennDOT wrote in a news release. “Do not attempt to pass this pilot vehicle if you encounter it.”
State police are expected to be at the interchange Friday afternoon to monitor the situation. And PennDOT will activate its changeable message signs in the area to further alert drivers.
Traffic delays are nothing new in Happy Valley, especially the day before a football game that regularly attracts more than 100,000 fans. But this Friday is a little different.
Friday serves as Penn State’s final day of classes before Thanksgiving break, so many of the 49,274 students enrolled at the University Park campus will return home for the week. Classes will resume Dec. 1.
The Penn State football team is also set to host its final home game of the season at 7 p.m. Saturday in Beaver Stadium. Either the break or game by itself would attract a lot of traffic but, when combined, PennDOT opted to issue a formal heads up.
For more information, PennDOT encourages residents to check conditions on those roadways and more than 40,000 others by visiting 511PA.com or following @511PAStateColl on X.
