After four days of public criticism, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission reversed course Thursday and announced it will reopen all 17 of its service plazas beginning at 7 a.m. Friday
In a news release, the agency said restrooms inside all service plazas will be open 24 hours. The outdoor portable toilets installed earlier this week will remain in place at the service plazas for approximately one week, the commission said.
On Monday, the commission announced fast-food service and indoor bathrooms were closed effective midnight Tuesday at all 17 rest areas due to the coronavirus outbreak. Portable toilets were installed at the plazas.
Truck drivers contended the closures were preventing them from having parking sites for sleeping and denied them access to sanitary facilities. The closures were making the job of the haulers more difficult as they keep goods flowing during the pandemic, truckers said.
After complaints from truck drivers and legislators, PennDOT on Wednesday afternoon began a partial rollback of some of its rest stop restrictions. That agency reopened at least 13 of 30 closed rest stops by Thursday morning. At least five portable restroom facilities will be available at each stop.
PennDOT said its welcome centers statewide would remain closed because of lack of staff.
Fuel service and convenience stores along the turnpike will remain open 24 hours.
The commission also announced that limited food options will be available at all service plazas Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. for take-out only.
After Friday, food will be served from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. except at North Midway and Valley Forge locations, which will offer food 24 hours, seven days a week.
All service plazas will have limited staffing for the safety of the employees of HMS Host and 7-Eleven, which operate the service plazas.
For more information, visit www.paturnpike.com.
