Monday, February 25, 2008

Traffic Restrictions -- Week of Feb. 25

Haverford -- Ardmore Avenue, bridge parapet repairs between Golf View and Haverford roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Marple -- Cedar Grove Road, patching between Routes 252 and 320, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Upper Chichester -- I-95 North ramp from Chichester Avenue (Exit 1), graffiti removal, ramp closed 12-4 a.m. Friday, Feb. 29.
Nether Providence -- I-476 North (Blue Route), graffiti removal, right lane closed at Exit 3, 9 a.m.-3 pm. Saturday, March 1.
Chester Township -- Concord Road, utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 4. Work began Feb. 19.
Springfield -- West Springfield Road, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation between North State and North Britton roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 18. Work began Feb. 11.

I-76 Bridges Over Delaware River To Be Repaired

ROAD WATCH for Feb. 24
Construction will start March 10 on a 19-month, $24 million project to rehabilitate and repair two bridges that carry over a half-mile of the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) over the Schuylkill River, Grays Ferry Avenue and 34th Street in Philadelphia.
Construction is scheduled to finish in October 2009.
This rehab of the nine-span, steel-beam bridge carrying I-76 over the Schuylkill River and CSX railroad tracks and the 16-span bridge over Grays Ferry Avenue and 34th Street consists of structural steel repair and painting; bridge wall replacement, and bridge deck repair and resurfacing.
Motorists on the expressway are advised to allow additional time to travel on this portion of the expressway because lane widths on the bridges will be reduced from 12 feet to 11 feet, and lane closures will occur during overnight hours and selected weekends for construction activities.
The expressway carries 129,000 vehicles a day in the area of the University Avenue interchange. The expressway’s posted advisory speed in the construction zone will be 40 miles per hour.
Built in the mid-1950s, the I-76 bridge over the Schuylkill River is 1,750 feet long and the I-76 bridge over Grays Ferry Avenue is 1,630 feet long. Both bridges are 64 feet wide.
Two travel lanes will remain open in each direction on I-76 weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Lane closures will occur during overnight hours – weeknights 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.; weekends 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. – and on six weekends in 2008 on I-76 West and 2009 on I-76 East.
The expressway will be restricted to one lane in one direction from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday on six weekends this year and next. The weekend-long lane closure will result in lengthy delays for motorists traveling on that particular side of the expressway.
In 2008, I-76 West will be reduced to one lane on six weekends between July and October.
In 2009, I-76 East will be reduced to one lane on six weekends in June and July. This round-the-clock closure is required to remove one inch of the concrete riding surface on the bridges and replace it with a new latex modified concrete surface.
The resurfacing must be done in stages to keep the bridges open to traffic. The weekend-long shutdowns on I-76 will be scheduled as best as possible to avoid conflicts with major events in the city and multiple events at the sports complex in South Philadelphia, said PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso.
He urged motorists to find another way to travel through the city on those weekends to avoid delays and keep the traffic back-up to a minimum.
PennDOT will provide a tow truck to assist stranded motorists and quickly remove disabled vehicles from the I-76 construction area during those 12 weekends when traffic is restricted to one lane in one direction.
PHILLY AUTO SHOW
This was a banner year for the Philadelphia International Auto Show. More than a quarter-million people visited the show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the second-highest attendance in the show’s 106-year history.
The show ended Feb. 10. I’ve been to the one in Baltimore in the past and it can’t compare.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend this year as I usually do – for fear of someone in the crowd squashing my left foot which has had a stress fracture. My brother/best pal Carl and I always enjoy sitting behind the wheels of luxury cars and sports cars we can only dream about handling on some winding, country roads.
BRIDGE REHAB
Construction began Feb. 19 on a 10-month, $15.9 million project to rehabilitate and re-anchor protective barriers on 19 bridges along I-95 and the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) in Philadelphia, PennDOT reports.
From Tuesday to Feb. 28, crews will be working 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays on the shoulder of I-95 North over Bartram Avenue and Route 291 (Penrose Avenue), and on the shoulder of the ramp from Bartram Avenue to I-95 North.
No lanes will be restricted. However, motorists are advised to allow additional time to travel on I-95 because backups may occur. The work schedule is weather dependent.
Crews will reinforce the existing bridge walls, raising the height of the walls 18 inches to meet current design standards; re-anchoring the walls to the structure; and reinforcing the median barrier.
No lane closures are expected on I-95 as crews will work on the shoulder. In the other locations, lane restrictions may occur, but only between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The overnight work may include some closures and detours of certain ramps at a later date.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Buckley & Company of Philadelphia is the general contractor on the $15.9 million contract that is financed with 100 percent federal funds.
AMTRAK SECURITY
Amtrak recently announced new security procedures – including random baggage screening – to patrol stations and trains to supplement ongoing patrols already in place to enhance the security of passenger rail travel.
The Mobile Security Team goal is to minimize the risk of terrorist threats and ultimately will be deployed nationwide.
Random baggage inspections have been found to be an effective security tool for detecting individuals who may pose a threat.
Amtrak says these new measures aren’t in response to any new or particular threat and are in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
The security team’s squads may consist of armed specialized Amtrak police, K-9 units and armed counter-terrorism special agents in tactical uniforms. Passengers will have the right to refuse inspection – however, if they do so, they will not be permitted to board the train and will be offered a ticket refund.
The team’s procedures will not affect train schedules and random baggage inspection will typically take less than a minute. In view of the past carnage inflicted by terrorists in Spain and London, this action by Amtrak is long overdue.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
I-476 North/South – several municipalities, litter removal between I-95 and U.S. Route 30, 12-4 a.m. weekdays.
I-95 North/South – several municipalities, litter removal between the Philadelphia county line and Delaware state line 12-4 a.m. weekdays.
Chester Township – Concord Road, utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays until June 4. Work began Feb. 19.
Springfield – West Springfield Road, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation between North State and North Britton roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. Work began Feb. 11 and will continue until April 18.
"Road Watch" appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.
ROAD RAGE...
Why is northbound traffic on the Blue Route (I-476) getting off at Exit 9 (West Chester Pike) in Marple allowed to make a right turn on red -- when it is very dangerous with through traffic going east on the pike (Route 3)? But yet traffic on Glen Gary Drive in Havertown -- a few blocks east on the pike -- cannot make a right turn on red!
Also, the timed left turn arrow signal on West Chester Pike westbound at Glen Gary Drive -- which takes forever to come on -- hardly allows more than two cars to proceed up Glen Gary Drive!
I just don't get it -- reiterating our sports columnist Jack McCaffery's favorite saying.
With the way eastbound traffic speeds downhill on Route 3 from New Ardmore Avenue, it's an accident waiting to happen with these exiting Blue Routers pulling out onto the pike!
Also, what's with Marple Township officials and that awful eyesore of a burned-out professional building at West Chester Pike and New Ardmore Avenue? With the bent girders, etc., it should have been demolished a long time ago. It makes for a hell of a welcome to Marple.
Speaking of welcoming gateways, why don't Haverford Township officials do something about that long-vacant pie-shaped piece of land at Route 3 and Old West Chester Pike? Why does the eastern boundary of the township rate a nice mural and mini-park at Route 3 and Darby Road, but the residents of Westgate Hills are ignored by township officials? Let's do something with that neglected parcel of land, commissioner.
Don't get me started...

Sunday, February 17, 2008

19 BRIDGES ON I-95 & I-76 FACE REHAB

ROAD WATCH: 2-17
(Rehab/re-anchor Work Starts on 19 bridges on I-95 & I-76 for 10 months; cost of nearly $16 million)

Construction will begin Feb. 19 on a 10-month, $15.9 million project to rehabilitate and re-anchor protective barriers on 19 bridges along I-95 and the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) in Philadelphia, PennDOT reports.
From Tuesday to Feb. 28, crews will be working 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays on the shoulder of I-95 North over Bartram Avenue and Route 291 (Penrose Avenue), and on the shoulder of the ramp from Bartram Avenue to I-95 North.
No lanes will be restricted. However, motorists are advised to allow additional time to travel on I-95 because backups may occur. The work schedule is weather dependent.
Crews will reinforce the existing bridge walls, raising the height of the walls 18 inches to meet current design standards; re-anchoring the walls to the structure; and reinforcing the median barrier.
No lane closures are expected on I-95 as crews will work on the shoulder. In the other locations, lane restrictions may occur, but only between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The overnight work may include some closures and detours of certain ramps at a later date.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Buckley & Company of Philadelphia is the general contractor on the $15.9 million contract that is financed with 100 percent federal funds.
The bridge locations covered under this project are:
XXX I-95 North over Penrose Avenue, between Exit 12 (Philadelphia International Airport) and Exit 17 (Broad Street);
XXX I-95 South over Penrose Avenue, between Exit 14 (Bartram Avenue) and Exit 12 (airport);
XXX I-95 North over Bartram Avenue, between Exit 12 (airport) and Exit 17 (Broad Street);
XXX I-95 South over Bartram Avenue (Exit 14);
XXX I-95 South over Grant Avenue, between Exit 35 (Route 63) and Exit 32 (Academy Road);
XXX Ramp from I-95 South to Bartram Avenue (Exit 14);
XXX Ramp from Bartram Avenue to I-95 North;
Ramp from I-95 South to Island Avenue (Exit 13);
XXX Ramp from the airport to I-95 North;
XXX Ramp from the airport to I-95 South;
XXX Ramp from Platt Bridge to I-95 South;
XXX Two ramps from Girard Avenue to I-76 West;
XXX Ramp from Girard Avenue to I-76 East;
XXX Ramp from I-76 East to Girard Avenue (Exit 342);
XXX Ramp from I-76 West to Chestnut Street (Exit 344);
XXX Ramp from I-76 East to University Avenue (Exit 346B);
XXX Ramp from Spring Garden Street to I-76 West;
XXX Ramp from Walnut Street to I-76 East.
U.S. ROUTE 202
Overnight lane closures will continue this week on Route 202 North/South in Tredyffrin and East Whiteland townships, Chester County for the placement of protective shielding on the underside of the Route 29 and Swedesford Road overpasses.
Route 202 will be reduced from two lanes to one in each direction between the Chesterbrook and Route 401 interchanges Monday-Thursday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning.
Motorists traveling on Route 202, Route 29 and Swedesford Road are advised to use extra care and allow additional time to drive through the construction area.
I-76/I-676
Overnight lane closures at night are scheduled this week on I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) and I-676 (Vine Expressway) in Philadelphia for the installation of conduit for a $23 million project to install Intelligent Transportation System equipment, PennDOT said.
Sunday and Monday, 10 p.m.-5 a.m., the right lane of I-76 East will be closed between Walnut and 34th streets.
Monday-Wednesday, 10 p.m.-5 a.m., the right lane of I-76 West will be closed between Walnut Street and I-676.
Wednesday-Thursday, 10 p.m.-5 a.m., the right lane of I-676 West will be closed between 24th Street and I-76.
ROUTE 422
Work will begin Monday on a $5.5 million project to reduce congestion on Route 422 West during weekday evening rush hours by adding a third westbound lane between the Route 23 (Valley Forge Road) and Route 363 (Trooper Road) interchanges in Upper Merion and West Norriton townships, Montgomery County.
Construction is scheduled to finish in November. Preliminary work will start Monday to install construction signs and fencing along the highway, but this work will not affect traffic.
Overnight lane closures are scheduled to start Tuesday night, Feb. 26, when crews begin to remove traffic lines and paint new lines on Route 422 to shift travel lanes in preparation for installing temporary median barriers on the bridge over the Schuylkill River.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
I-476 North/South – several municipalities, litter removal between I-95 and U.S. Route 30, 12-4 a.m. weekdays.
I-95 North/South – several municipalities, litter removal between the Philadelphia county line and Delaware state line 12-4 a.m. weekdays.
Middletown – Route 352 North/South, patching between Glen Riddle and Knowlton roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Haverford – Ardmore Avenue, bridge parapet repairs between Golf View and Haverford roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Marple – Cedar Grove Road, patching between Routes 252 and 320, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Chester Township – Concord Road, utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard starting 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, until June 4.
Springfield – West Springfield Road, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation between North State and North Britton roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. Work began Feb. 11 and will continue until April 18.
"Road Watch" appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.