Road Watch…for Sept. 7
The Delaware River Port Authority is reminding drivers that tolls on the Commodore Barry, Walt Whitman, Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross bridges will be $4 on Sept. 14, up a buck from $3.
Tolls for trucks and buses will also increase. PATCO fares will increase 10 percent.
Bridge tolls will go up another buck to $5 in 2010.
The last time tolls were raised was in January 2000 when they went from $2 to $3.
PATCO fares will be another 10 percent in September 2010, with cost of living increases every two years after that.
The last time PATCO fares were raised was in July 2001 when they went up 16 percent.
Other changes include the Consumer Credit discount for 18 or more crossings a month on the same transponder is being reduced to $12.
The Senior Citizen program toll will be $2. The commercial discount has been eliminated.
For enrolled senior citizens who have a New Jersey E-ZPass account and have registered the transponder they will be using, the toll will be $1.75 in E-ZPass only lanes.
There is also a new $1 discount for E-ZPass customers driving qualified low-emission vehicles.
Applications will be available at the E-ZPass customer service center in Camden, N.J., just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge. Applications will also be available this week in the toll lanes from toll collectors.
Further information regarding the new toll and fare hikes can be found on the DRPA’s Web site, www.drpa.org.
BACK TO SCHOOL
AAA is celebrating the 75th year of its “School’s Open – Drive Carefully” campaign, aiming to curb unsafe driving behavior in school zones and neighborhoods that can result in injuries and sometimes death to children.
“AAA reminds motorists to be extra alert, slow down and observe the lower speed limits in school zones and residential areas,” says AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Catherine Rossi.
“AAA urges motorists to pay attention behind the wheel, especially during early morning and mid-afternoon hours when students are going to and from school,” she said.
ARDMORE AVENUE
Aqua Pennsylvania will close Ardmore Avenue between Lancaster Avenue (Route 30) and Oakford Road in Lower Merion, Montgomery County, for water main installation by Aqua Pennsylvania starting Sept. 17.
Ardmore Avenue will be closed 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 31. It is a major connection to Haverford Township.
During construction, Ardmore Avenue through traffic will be detoured over Lancaster Avenue, West Wynnewood Road, Haverford Road and Oakford Road.
Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
RADNOR
PECO Energy will restrict County Line Road between Glenbrook Avenue and Mondella-Morris Lane in Radnor starting Monday for gas main installation, PennDOT said.
County Line Road will be restricted 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 24.
I-95 North
The northbound right lane will be closed on the I-95/Girard Point Bridge over the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday/Tuesday for bridge inspection by PennDOT.
SCHUYLKILL EXPRESSWAY
Monday-Friday, one lane will be closed on the westbound and eastbound lanes of the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) between Belmont Avenue and City Line Avenue in Lower Merion 8 p.m.-5 a.m. for milling.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
Ridley Park – Sellers Avenue, Aqua Pennsylvania water main installation, lane restrictions between Chester Pike and Ward Street 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 25. Work began Aug. 27.
Blue Route North/South (I-476) – Marple, Nether Providence, Radnor and Springfield, mowing between MacDade Boulevard and County Line Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Tuesday.
Chadds Ford – Creek Road, patching between Brandywine River and Delaware state line 9 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays.
Collingdale – Springfield Road, pipe installation/inlet repairs between Westmont Drive and MacDade Boulevard 9 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays.
Upper Darby – Burmont Road, Aqua utility installation with lane restrictions at Mary Street 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Sept. 15.
Tinicum – Wanamaker Avenue, utility installation by Aqua Pennsylvania, closed/detoured between Route 291 and Second Street, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 31. Work began July 21.
Chester – Flower Street, ramp construction, closed/detoured between Second and Front streets, 24-hour detour posted through Sept. 8. Began July 7.
Chester Township – Concord Road, utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 25. Work began Feb. 19.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.