Road Watch – Nov. 9
On Monday, Nov. 9, the gas average in the five-county Philadelphia region -- including Delco -- was down 7 cents over the weekend to $2.39; diesel was down 4 cents to $3.39.
As of Monday morning, crude oil was selling for $65 a barrel.
The Pennsylvania gas average was down 8 cents since Friday to $2.38 -- making it the 24th lowest gas average in the U.S., according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
As of Monday in Delaware, the price per gallon was $2.12; New Jersey, $2.20; South Jersey, $2.12; Maryland, $2.24.
Missouri, Oklahoma and Ohio have a state average price below $2 for a gallon of regular.
In the five-county area a week ago, the average price per gallon was $2.56 a week ago and $3.29 a month ago, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. The highest average recorded this year was $4.16 on June 20 -- which also happened to be a record high.
On Friday, the national average price was $2.31 per gallon on Friday – with a barrel of crude oil selling for $62.
The Pennsylvania gas average then was down 2 cents to $2.46 as the state average was down 17 cents in a week.
Missouri was the first state to fall below $2 a gallon – at $1.99 Friday.
Last Sunday, AAA reported that the national average price of gas moved from $2.70, down 20 cents over the course of the work week to $2.50. In the last month, the retail price of gas is down more than $1.07 a gallon – marking the largest one-month decline on record.
Some gas stations in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas and Tennessee were selling gas at $2 a gallon or less while many gas stations in other states are getting there, AAA reported.
Petroleum reports showed gasoline demand is down 3 to 5 percent. Also, the number of miles driven by vehicles in the U.S. fell sharply despite falling fuel prices.
Vehicle-miles-traveled in August fell by 5.6 percent compared to the same month in 2007, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
“We expect gas prices will continue their tumble this month,” said AAA spokeswoman Catherine Rossi.
“This should translate to other consumables such as bread and milk which have a high transportation cost component attached to them,” she said.
“Lower gas prices should translate to lower prices on grocery store shelves,” Rossi said.
STEER CLEAR
To improve safety during roadside incidents, PennDOT is reminding motorists to move over or “steer clear.”
The “steer clear” law requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop or disabled vehicle.
If drivers cannot move over because of traffic or other conditions, they must reduce their speed.
“This is a very important law because it can save lives,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler.
“While it may seem like common sense, many motorists speed by these incidents,” he said.
“We need all drivers to remember to move over since this law is designed to provide added safety for those people responding to situations along our roadways,” Biehler said.
Motorists must move over or reduce their speed when they see emergency responders, including law enforcement, fire officials, emergency medical technicians, tow truck operators or highway workers.
The law applies any time an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing or where road crews or emergency personnel have lighted flares, posted signs or other traffic control devices.
Failure to move over or slow down can result in a summary offense that carries a fine of up to $250.
In addition, fines will be doubled for traffic violations occurring in these areas. If that violation leads to a worker beign injured, a 90-day license suspension could result.
More than 1,800 citations have been issued since the law went into effect in 2006. For more information regarding the “steer clear” law, visit: www.dot.state.pa.us.
PATCO RECORD
In addition to SEPTA recording three-times-as-normal ridership during the Phillies victory parade in Philadelphia on Friday, Oct. 31, PATCO also set a one-day record for trips.
On that date, 97,607 trips were unofficially recorded on PATCO, breaking the previous record by 20,000. The previous one-day record was also set because of a World Series parade.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, 1980, there were 77,557 trips on PATCO.
The average daily ridership on a normal weekday is about 38,000 trips.
The record number does not include people who used New Jersey Transit tickets to ride PATCO, which the transit agency accepted for several hours from New Jersey bound travelers as NJT buses were unable to navigate the crowded streets of Philadelphia.
I-95 NORTH/SOUTH
Lane restrictions are scheduled 8 p.m.-5 a.m. weekdays on I-95 North/South in Philadelphia for the installation of rumble strips on the shoulders.
Weather permitting, one lane will be closed on I-95 North/South between Girard Avenue and Broad Street the above times.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
I-476 North/South – reflective pavement marker installation, lane closure between I-95 and I-76, 10 p.m.-5 a.m. Monday.
I-476 North/South – median grass cutting, left lane closed for slow moving operation between I-95 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Mid-County Interchange 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.
Route 1 North/South – Chadds Ford and Concord, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation with lane restrictions between Black Horse Lane and Route 352 (Middletown Road) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 19. Work began Oct. 27.
Route 1 South – Middletown, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation between Middletown Road and Elwyn Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 19. Work began Oct. 27.
Route 1 North/South – Chadds Ford and Concord, reflection pavement marker installation with lane closure between Chester County line and U.S. Route 322, 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday.
Chestnut Parkway – Nether Providence and Chester, PECO Energy utility maintenance with lane restrictions between Harvey Road and 24th Street, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 1. Work began Nov. 4.
Chester – Flower Street, ramp construction, closed/detoured between Second and Front streets, 24-hour closure through Dec. 5. Work began Nov. 5.
Aston – Convent Road, PECO Energy utility installation with lane restrictions between Concord and Aston Mills roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through Nov. 26. Work began Nov. 6.
Media Line Road – Marple and Newtown, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation, closed/detoured between West Chester Pike (Route 3) and Gradyville Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 15. Work began Oct. 6.
Haverford – Darby Road closed/detoured between Route 320 and Marple Road, road widening/utility installation, weekdays and Saturdays 7 a.m.-7 p.m. through Nov. 24. Work began May 27.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.