HARRISBURG – Highway crashes in Pennsylvania claimed the lives of 1,491 motorists in 2007, a decrease of 34 from 2006, PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler reported last week.
“Anytime that Pennsylvania experiences a drop in the number of highway deaths, it’s good news,” Biehler said. “The sad news is that there are far too many people still dying in highway crashes. More tragic is the fact that aggressive driving continues to be the number one killer on our roads.”
In 2007, aggressive driving played a role in 971 fatalities, up from 913 a year earlier. Over the past five years, aggressive driving has killed 4,640 motorists with the majority of those deaths coming in 2005 when 1,019 motorists were killed due to the actions of aggressive drivers.
Aggressive driving includes such behaviors as speeding, running traffic control devices and careless lane changes. Speed-related highway deaths climbed to 734 last year from 663 in 2006.
“These statistics show that aggressive driving continues to jeopardize the safety of all drivers,” Biehler said. “I’m urging drivers to act responsibly and do the right thing when operating a motor vehicle – your life and the lives of those you share the road with are at stake.”
Biehler also offered a warning to would-be aggressive drivers that with more than 338 municipal police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police working together through the Smooth Operator Program to stop aggressive driving behaviors, it’s only a matter of time before they see those familiar red and blue lights in their mirrors.
If a motorist is stopped and cited for driving 75 mph in a 65 mph zone, the fine and other associated costs are $135.50 plus two points against their driver’s license.
Some of the other major contributing factors to highway deaths, such as failure to wear a seatbelt and driving under the influence, dropped last year. Unbuckled fatalities dropped to 559 from 611 in 2006 and alcohol-related deaths dropped to 525 from 544.
Crashes on Pennsylvania roads rose to 130,564 from 128,342 in 2006. In spite of the increase in crashes in 2007, this is the third lowest number in more than 50 years. Aggressive driving played a role in 74,887 of those crashes.

Road Watch for April 27
(Barry Bridge repairs/lane closings start next month; an $8 million deck joint repair job & $71 million I-95/Route 322 Interchange Improvement Project)
The vicinity of the Commodore Barry Bridge will have a lot going on with lane closings due to an $8 million deck joint repair project next month and a $71 million project to build two new ramps to provide direct access between Route 291 (Second Street) and I-95 in Chester.
Although the exact date hasn't been set yet, an $8 million project begins in May to replace 74 existing compression seal joints with new strip seal joints on the bridge approach structure, according to the Delaware River Port Authority. The DRPA owns/operates four bridges across the Delaware River.
The deck joint job must be completed in a timely manner so PennDOT can build new ramps connecting the bridge with the Chester waterfront, said DRPA Chief Engineer William Brooks.
The project will involve closing two of its five lanes for almost seven months – not good news for seashore and work commuters as the vacation season approaches by Memorial Day.
Further details on the project, such as which lanes will be closed and the hours of construction are pending, said DRPA spokesman Ed Kasuba.
The Barry Bridge, opened to traffic Feb. 1, 1974, handles an average daily traffic count of about 44,000 vehicles.
Major construction begins in early May on the I-95/U.S. Route 322 (Commodore Barry Bridge) Interchange Improvement Project that will reconstruct the interchange to improve congestion and provide access between I-95 and the Chester waterfront area. The PennDOT project will be done in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration.
Construction is expected to finish by August 2011, according to PennDOT spokesman Charles Metzger.
The project will provide direct access from Route 322 East and I-95 to Route 291 via a new off-ramp from the Barry Bridge.
A new on-ramp to the bridge from Route 291 will provide access to Route 322 West and I-95 from the Chester waterfront.
This improvement project will reconstruct the interchange connecting two heavily traveled corridors – I-95 and Route 322 – which carries traffic from Chester and Delaware counties eastward to New Jersey via the bridge.
This project will improve mobility into and out of Chester and the waterfront through direct vehicular access from I-95 to Route 291.
Direct access will eliminate the need for local/commercial traffic to use neighborhood roadways as the primary connection between I-95 and Route 291.
The new ramps comply with the city’s plan for economic redevelopment and revitalization projects throughout the city and particularly along the waterfront.
DRPA will be doing their work first and then PennDOT will be starting on one of the new ramps, Metzger said. A second ramp will be built after that.
Clearing work will be performed first and some aerial easements must be worked out with some property owners, he said.
One ramp will begin at the intersection of Route 291 and Tilghman Street, the westbound on-ramp to Route 322, which will connect to I-95 North/South, Metzger said.
The second ramp will be an eastbound off-ramp connecting the Barry Bridge above Third Street and that ramp will descend onto Route 291 and Jeffery Street, he said.
The project also entails widening 16 sections of the bridge to accommodate acceleration/deceleration.
The contractor on the project is Driscoll Construction Co. Inc. of North Wales.
Darby-Paoli Road
Lane closures are scheduled on Darby-Paoli Road between Brooke Road and Newtown Road in Radnor 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays for bridge pier repairs. The work is expected to be finished by July.
Traffic will be controlled by flagging.
This work is part of PennDOT’s nearly $750,000 project to repair 31 bridges in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
Aqua Work
Aqua Pennsylvania will close several lanes on Baltimore Pike between Sproul Road (Route 320) and Paper Mill Road in Springfield weekdays for water main installation, PennDOT said.
The pike will be restricted 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 30. Work began April 21.
Traffic Delays
Middletown – Baltimore Pike South, bridge parapet repairs between Wawa Road and Franklin Mint roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Springfield Road – Aldan and Upper Darby, PECO Energy utility repairs between Providence Road and Massachusetts Avenue 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday through May 6.
Edgmont – Providence Road, paving between West Chester Pike and Goshen Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May 2.
Chester Township –Concord Road: utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 4.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

For April 20----Road Watch Col.
Darby-Paoli Road
Lane closures are scheduled on Darby-Paoli Road between Brooke Road and Newtown Road in Radnor 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays for bridge pier repairs. The work is expected to be finished by July.
Traffic will be controlled by flagging.
This work is part of PennDOT’s nearly $750,000 project to repair 31 bridges in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
NuPump Corp. is the general contractor on the 100 percent state-financed project.
Aqua Work
Starting Monday, Aqua Pennsylvania will close several lanes on Baltimore Pike between Sproul Road (Route 320) and Paper Mill Road in Springfield for water main installation, PennDOT said.
The pike will be restricted 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 30.
Starting Tuesday, Aqua will close travel lanes on Montgomery Avenue between East Washington and Lincoln avenues in West Goshen, Chester County, for water main installation.
Montgomery Avenue will be restricted weekdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through May 6.
SIGN INSPECTIONS
Lane closures are scheduled this week on several state roads in Delaware County for overhead sign inspections.
BULLET Monday, the two left lanes will be closed on I-95 North between Route 452 and Route 322 (Commodore Barry Bridge) in Upper Chichester, Chester City and Chester Township 9 a.m.-noon. Two southbound right lanes will be closed noon-3 p.m.
BULLET Monday, one lane will be closed on West Chester Pike (Route 3) between Route 320 and Lawrence Road in Haverford and Marple 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
BULLET Tuesday, two right lanes will be closed on I-95 South between Route 322 and Route 452 in Upper Chichester, Chester City and Chester Township 9 a.m.-noon. Two northbound right lanes will be closed from noon to 3 p.m.
BULLET Tuesday, one lane will be closed on Route 3 between Route 320 and Lawrence Road in Haverford and Marple 9 a.m.-noon.
BULLET Tuesday, one lane will be closed on Lawrence Road at Route 3 in Marple noon-3 p.m.
BULLET Wednesday-Friday, one lane will be closed on I-476 North/South between Route 1 and Route 30 in Marple and Radnor 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Lane restrictions are also scheduled on several state roads in Philadelphia Monday-Wednesday for a series of bridge inspections.
PHILADELPHIA
Commuters to and in Philadelphia beware: construction will begin April 31 on a $5.7 million project to resurface 29 miles and crack seal 52 miles of state roads in Philadelphia.
Crews will first mill Erie Avenue between Frankford Avenue and Broad Street (Route 611) weekdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 7 p.m.-6 a.m.
Additional roads to be repaved include:
BULLET I-95 North/South between Academy Road and the Bucks County line.
BULLET I-95 North at Cottman Avenue.
BULLET Lancaster Avenue (Route 30) between the Montgomery County line and Girard Avenue.
BULLET Market Street between 30th and 45th streets.
BULLET Levick Street between Roosevelt Boulevard and Rising Sun Avenue.
BULLET Welsh Road between Bustleton Avenue and the Montgomery County line.
BULLET Richmond Street between Allegheny Avenue and Bridge Street.
For a further list of roads/streets visit PennDOT at www.dot.state.pa.us.
Traffic Delays
Baltimore Pike – Springfield and Clifton Heights: milling with lane restrictions between Route 420 (Woodland Avenue) and Burmont Road 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Tuesday. It’s part of a $6 million project by James J. Anderson Construction Co. to repave 29 miles of state roads in the county. The project began April 7.
Also, Baltimore Pike, paving between Route 420 and Burmont Road 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Monday-Thursday.
Middletown – Glen Riddle Road, milling with restricted lanes between Routes 352 and 452, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
Also, Glen Riddle Road, paving in above area 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Thursday-Friday.
Middletown – Baltimore Pike South, bridge parapet repairs between Wawa Road and Franklin Mint roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Concord – U.S. Route 202 North/South: milling between Delaware state line and Smithbridge Road 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Monday-Wednesday. Also, prep work in this area 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday-Friday.
Chadds Ford – U.S. Route 202 South, patching between Dilworthtown Road and Baltimore Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Also, Route 1 North/South, milling between Brinton Lake Road and Delaware state line 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Wednesday-Friday.
Springfield Road – Aldan and Upper Darby, PECO Energy utility repairs between Providence Road and Massachusetts Avenue 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday through May 6.
Edgmont – Providence Road, paving between West Chester Pike and Goshen Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May 2.
Chester Township –Concord Road: utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 4.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

Road Watch for April 13
Litterbugs Beware! The Great Pennsylvania Cleanup, a cooperative anti-littering effort between PennDOT and the state Departments of Environmental Protection and Community and Natural Resources kicks off Saturday.
The effort is an extension of PennDOT’s anti-littering programs. PennDOT began fighting litter more than 30 years ago with its Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful program and later with the Adopt-A-Highway program.
During the cleanup last year, volunteers removed over 372,096 bags of litter from state roads – enough to fill more than 372 trash trucks.
“Pennsylvania continues to have the largest anti-littering program in the nation with 43 percent of PennDOT’s 40,000 miles of roadways under adoption,” said PennDOT District Executive Lester Toaso.
The following are examples of how long certain litter take to decompose:
A plastic jug on the ground could collect Social Security after the 70 years it takes to break down.
Aluminum can take around 200 to 500 years to decompose, which is between two and six times the life span of an average American.
A glass bottle could take as much as one million years to decompose.
A side note: I’m fed up with people who toss all those grocery and supermarket plastic bags all over the county’s roads and lots. That’s why my wife and I have purchased reusable cloth material grocery bags. And they’re a lot more strong and durable than those flimsy plastic bags and brown paper bags. Go GREEN! And I don’t mean Eagles-wise.
For info on the cleanup effort and to register visit DEP’s Web site at www.dep.state.pa.us and click on the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup logo, or call toll-free at 1-888-548-8372.
The site also contains safety information, links to other cleanup groups, a downloadable logo, T-shirt iron-on transfers and posters, and lesson plans for teachers.
Citizens or groups that want to participate in the roadside cleanups are encouraged to call PennDOT’s local county coordinator or visit the Web site.
In Delaware County, the coordinators for the litter removal program are Sheila Cartwright and Harry Seth, who can be reached at 610-566-0972.
SEPTA’s 46th Station
SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line El trains will return to 46th Street Station Monday as a new modern station there opens for passenger service.
El service to 46th Street Station was discontinued in June 2007 to allow rebuilding of the station as part of the Market Street Elevated reconstruction project.
It will offer improved access to trains and greater overall convenience for the 3,700 passengers who use it each weekday.
The opening marks the debut of the fourth of six new stations designed under MSE. The El first began operations in 1907 and is undergoing major reconstruction.
SEPTA bus Routes 31 and 64, rerouted to accommodate passengers during the closure of 46th Street Station, will return to regular detour routing with the opening of the station.
Also, shuttle buses will operate this weekend in place of regular El service between the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby and 40th and Market streets through 5 a.m. Monday. The shuttles began 8 p.m. Friday.
Camera Installation
Overnight travel restrictions will occur this week on I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway), U.S. Route 1 and Route 291 in Philadelphia and on I-76 in Montgomery County for the installation of closed-circuit camera poles and mast arms, PennDOT said.
Traffic Delays
Baltimore Pike – Springfield and Clifton Heights: resurfacing with lane restrictions between Route 420 (Woodland Avenue) and Burmont Road 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays by James J. Anderson Construction Co., a $6 million contract to repave 29 miles of state roads in the county beginning April 7.
Baltimore Pike --- Springfield and Clifton Heights: paving with restricted lanes between Route 420 and Burmont Road 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Wednesday-Friday.
Middletown – Glen Riddle Road: prep work with restricted lanes between Routes 352 and 452, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday-Friday.
U.S. Route 1 North/South – Chadds Ford: milling with lane restrictions between Brinton Lake Road and Delaware state line 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Friday.
Concord – U.S. Route 202 North/South: milling between Delaware state line and Smithbridge Road 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Wednesday-Friday.
Chester Township – Engle Street: DELCORA trench restoration between Tolston and 12th streets 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Also, Concord Road: utility installation between Commerce Drive and McDonald Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 4.
Upper Darby – Market Street: Aqua utility installation between Powell Lane and Wellington Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
U.S. Route 202 South – Chadds Ford: patching between Dilworthtown Road and Baltimore Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
I-476 North/South (Blue Route) – Radnor, Haverford, Marple, Upper Providence: bridge cleaning in a moving operation between County Line Road and Baltimore Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
I-476/U.S. Route 1 North/South ramps – Marple: sign structure inspection with lane restrictions on ramps connecting I-476 and Route 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday.
I-95 North – Lower Chichester: sign structure inspection, two right lanes closed between Chichester Avenue and Route 452, noon-3 p.m. Monday.
I-95 South – Lower Chichester: sign structure inspection with two lanes closed between Route 452 and Naamans Road, 9 a.m.-noon, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Also, I-95 South, two right lanes closed between Chichester Avenue and Naamans Road noon-3 p.m. Tuesday.
I-95 North – Lower Chichester: sign structure inspection, lanes closed between Route 452 and Naamans Road noon-3 p.m., and between Naamans Road and Chichester Avenue, 9 a.m.-noon, Monday and Thursday.
I-476 (Blue Route) – Ridley Township, Nether Providence, Springfield: sign structure inspection with lane closure between MacDade Boulevard and U.S. Route 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

PennDOT has launched a $6 million project this week to repair and resurface 29 miles of state roads in Delaware County.
Crews will close travel lanes on Baltimore Pike between Route 420 (Woodland Avenue) in Springfield and Burmont Road near the Clifton Heights/Lansdowne boundary from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. for prep work and 7 p.m.-5 a.m. for milling.
Work in this area is expected to last three weeks, PennDOT said. Work on the overall project is expected to be completed by Nov. 25.
The additional roads to be repaired and resurfaced under this contract with James J. Anderson Construction Co. Inc. are:
BULLET Springfield Road between Baltimore Avenue and Route 1 (State Road) in Clifton Heights, Upper Darby, Springfield and Marple.
BULLET Baltimore Pike between the Chester County line and Brinton Lake Road in Chadds Ford and Concord.
BULLET Brinton Lake Road between Baltimore Pike and Dilworthtown Road in Concord and Thornbury.
BULLET Sweetwater Road between Creek Road and Valley Road in Valley Township.
BULLET College Avenue between Cooperstown Road and the Montgomery County line in Haverford.
BULLET Cooperstown Road between College Avenue and Stockton Road in Haverford.
BULLET U.S. Route 202 (Wilmington Pike) between the Delaware state line and Smithbridge Road in Bethel and Concord.
BULLET Glen Riddle Road/Parkmount Road between Lenni Road and Middletown Road in Middletown.
BULLET Fourth/Ninth streets between Hewes Avenue and Ridley Creek in Marcus Hook, Trainer and Chester.
BULLET Upland Avenue between Edgmont Avenue and Upland Avenue in Upland and Chester.
BULLET Burmont Road between Garrett Road and State Road in Upper Darby.
The $6,097,076 project is financed with 100 percent state funds.
-- JOHN M. ROMAN

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty praised the Radnor School District on Friday for its decision to use biofuels in its 64 diesel-powered vehicles.
The switch is an example of leadership by the district that will help the nation reduce its dependence on foreign oil at a time when record-high fuel prices are draining the budgets of communities, businesses and families across the state, she said.
“Schools, truck drivers, small businesses and families across the commonwealth are feeling the pressure of higher fuel bills on their budgets and wallets,” McGinty said.
“Switching from conventional fuels to homegrown biofuels will help break our addiction to foreign oil, bring down costs, strengthen national security and grow our economy,” she said.
“The Radnor School District is leading by example on this front,” McGinty said. “Rather than sending all of its diesel fuel dollars out of state, it’s making an investment in Pennsylvania.”
The district was awarded a $40,000 Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant in October. It will purchase nearly 94,000 gallons of diesel fuel blended with 20 percent biodiesel, otherwise known as B20.
The grant will help to cover the incremental costs of purchasing the alternative fuel, and will help the district prepare two storage tanks for biodiesel.
The fuel will be supplied by the Energy Cooperative. Founded in 1979, the cooperative is a nonprofit, member-owned organization providing biodiesel, home heating oil and renewable electricity to households, businesses, nonprofits and municipalities throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania needs the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative, McGinty said. The average price for a gallon of conventional diesel in the state last week was $4.27 in the five-county region. That’s up nearly 64 percent since Governor Rendell introduced his plan back in February 2007.
“Radnor is committed to the health of its students and community, and using biodiesel is a logical place to improve our environment,” said Burt Blackburn, the district’s transportation director.
Running the vehicles on the renewable fuel will result in emission reductions each year.
Realizing these environmental benefits for the 4,400 students who ride Radnor School District buses was an important factor in the decision to switch to biodiesel, Blackburn said.
Schuylkill Expressway
Overnight lane closures will occur this week on I-76 in Philadelphia for the installation of closed-circuit camera poles and bridge construction, PennDOT said.
Today through Thursday, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., the eastbound right lane of I-76 will be closed between City Avenue and University Avenue for camera pole installations.
Today-Thursday, for the same hours, the westbound left lane and eastbound right lane of I-76 will be closed between South Street and 34th Street for bridge construction.
Friday and Saturday, 11 p.m.-5 a.m., the westbound right lane of I-76 will be closed between 34th Street and South Street for bridge construction.
Call FIX-ROAD
Motorists are reminded by PennDOT this time of year to report road-repair problems on state roads — not local or county roads — by calling its toll-free Roadway Maintenance Hotline at 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623).
If you see potholes, downed signs or shoulder washouts, among other road defects, call the hotline Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Be specific about the location, municipality, street name or traffic route number and any familiar landmarks near the problem area to help PennDOT locate the spot to repair the problem, says PennDOT District Executive Lester Toaso.
Traffic Delays
Edgmont — Providence Road, paving between West Chester Pike (Route 3) and Goshen Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays starting Monday and through May 2.
Ridley Township — I-476 (Blue Route) North, sign inspection with lane closure at MacDade Boulevard noon-3 p.m. Monday.
Also, I-95 and I-476 North/South ramps, sign structure inspection with lane restrictions on ramps connecting I-95 and I-476, 9 a.m.-noon Monday.
Upper Darby — Victory Road, bridge repairs with lane restrictions between Market Street and Lansdowne Avenue 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday.
Also, Market Street, Aqua Pa. utility installation with lane restrictions between Powell Lane and Wellington Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through April 18. Work begins Monday.
Baltimore Pike North/South — Springfield and Clifton Heights, milling between Route 420 and Burmont Road 7 p.m.-5 a.m. weekdays.
Chester — Engle Street, trench restoration between Tolstone Street and 12th Street, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Upper Chichester — Route 452 (Market Street), slopewall repairs with lane restrictions at the I-95 Interchange 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Also, Blueball Road, trench restoration with lane restrictions between Scott Road and Malatesta Avenue, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.weekdays.
Lower Chichester — I-95 North, sign inspection, two right lanes closed between Naamans Road and Chichester Avenue 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday.
Also, I-95 South, sign inspection, two right lanes closed between Market Street and Naamans Road noon-3 p.m. Tuesday.
Also, I-95 North, sign inspection, two left lanes closed between Naamans Road and Chichester Avenue 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday.
Also, I-95 South, sign inspection, two right lanes closed between Chichester Avenue and Naamans Road noon-3 p.m. Wednesday.
Nether Providence — I-476 North/South, sign inspection with lane closure between Baltimore Pike and MacDade Boulevard 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.
Chadds Ford — North Creek Road, Chester Water Authority utility installation, lane restriction near Baltimore Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.
I-95 North/South — Ridley Township, Tinicum and Chester Township, sweeping/removal of litter, with lane restrictions between Philadelphia County line and Delaware state line 12-4 a.m. weekdays
Upper Darby — Burmont Road — trench restoration, closed and detoured between State and Garrett roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 11 by Aqua Pennsylvania. Work began March 12.
Springfield — Springfield Road, Aqua utility installation between State and S. Britton roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 25. Work began March 24.
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.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

Just a reminder for the merry month of May:
You won’t be so merry, seashore and work commuters, when the Commodore Barry Bridge starts getting nearly $8 million in deck joint repairs -- closing two of its five lanes for almost seven months.
An inspection of the bridge recommended replacing 74 existing compression seal joints with new strip seal joints on the bridge approach structure, according to the Delaware River Port Authority.
This project needs to be completed in a timely manner so PennDOT can build new ramps connecting the bridge with the Chester waterfront, said DRPA Chief Engineer William Brooks.
Drivers will be updated regularly on construction progress, said DRPA spokesman Ed Kasuba.
Further details on the project such as the hours of construction and which lanes will be closed are pending, he said. The lane closings will be dependent on the traffic flow.
Every effort will be made to accommodate shorebound and homebound commuters, he said.
The average daily traffic count for the bridge is about 44,000 vehicles.
The contract was awarded to Road-Con Inc. of West Chester.
Construction on the Barry Bridge, which connects Chester and Bridgeport, N.J., began April 14, 1969. It was opened to traffic Feb. 1, 1974.
The bridge is 13,912 feet long and is 76 feet, 10 inches wide. Its travel width curb to curb is 60 feet. The span’s structural steel weight is 49,000 tons. Its navigable channel width is 800 feet, with a channel depth of 40 feet.
SEPTA SHUTTLES
This weekend, SEPTA is operating shuttle buses in place of regular El service between 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby and 40th Street Station in West Philadelphia unil
TRAFFIC DELAYS
Edgmont – Providence Road, paving between West Chester Pike (Route 3) and Goshen Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays starting Monday and through May 2.
Ridley Township – I-95 and I-476 (Blue Route) North/South ramps, sign inspection with lane restrictions on ramps connecting I-95 and I-476, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday/Wednesday.
Also, MacDade Boulevard – sign inspection with lane restrictions at the I-476 Interchange 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday.
U.S. Route 1 North/South – Middletown and Upper Providence, sign inspection with lane restrictions between Route 352 and Route 252, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday.
Upper Darby – Victory Road, bridge repairs with lane restrictions between Market Street and Lansdowne Avenue 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday/Friday and April 7.
I-476 North – Nether Providence, Marple and Springfield, tree trimming/removal with the right lane closed between Exit 3 (Baltimore Pike) and Exit 5 (U.S. Route 1/Media Bypass) 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
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.
Also, Springfield Road, Aqua utility installation between State and S. Britton roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 25. Work began March 24.
Bishop Avenue – Springfield and Upper Darby, Aqua utility installation, lane restrictions at Baltimore Pike 6:30 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through Friday. Work began March 19.
Upper Darby – Burmont Road – trench restoration, closed and detoured between State and Garrett roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 11 by Aqua Pennsylvania. Work began March 12.
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.
"Road Watch" appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

Construction is under way on Aqua Pennsylvania projects in Delaware County totaling more than $4.1 million to install new water mains and make improvements to ensure better water service and boost flows for firefighting.
In Lansdowne and Upper Darby, a $1.1 million project will replace 6,156 feet of aging water mains with new eight-inch ductile iron mains on the following streets:
Owen Avenue between Garrett Road and Greenwood Avenue.
Drexel Avenue between Windermere and Owen avenues.
Plumstead Avenue between Windermere and Lansdowne avenues.
Albemarle Avenue between Windermere and Owen avenues.
The latter project should be finished in June.
In Springfield, a $465,000 project will replace 2,226 feet of aging mains with new eight-inch ductile iron mains on West Springfield Road between South State Road and South Britton Road. Work is scheduled for completion in May.
In Glenolden, a $450,000 project will replace 2,285 feet of aging mains with new eight-inch ductile iron mains on Ashland Avenue between Llanwellyn Avenue and a point 240 feet south of Chester Pike and on Scott Avenue between Gardner Avenue and a point 200 feet east of Cooke Avenue. The project is scheduled for completion in June.
In Radnor, a $341,000 project involves replacement of 1,553 feet of aging mains with new eight-inch ductile iron mains on Plant Avenue between Woodland and Aberdeen avenues, on Willow Avenue between Radnor Street Road and Aberdeen Avenue, on North Aberdeen Avenue between Plant Avenue and Aberdeen Terrace, and on Aberdeen Terrace between North Aberdeen Avenue and Radnor Road in Radnor. Work should be completed this month.
In Swarthmore, a $380,000 project will replace 1,920 feet of aging mains on Swarthmore Avenue between Widener Way and a point 400 feet north of College Avenue and on Swarthmore Avenue between Princeton and Ogden avenues. Work should be completed this spring.
In Ridley Park, a $516,000 project to replace 3,068 of aging main on Crum Lynne Road between West Ridley Avenue and Shaw Road, on Gilbert Road between West Ridley Avenue and West Road, and on Bonsall Road between Gilbert and Belair roads. Work should be completed this month.
In Radnor, a $855,000 project will replace aging mains with 6,603 feet of new six- and eight-inch ductile iron mains on Bloomingdale Avenue between Lancaster and Conestoga avenues, on West Wayne Avenue between Bloomingdale Avenue and Atlee Road, on Owens Avenue between Bloomingdale Avenue and a point 370 feet west of Bloomingdale Avenue, and on Atlee Road between West Wayne Avenue and a point 1,070 feet south of West Wayne Avenue. The project should be completed in May.
Also, in Radnor, there is a $63,000 project to replace aging main with 326 feet of new ductile iron mains on Pennsylvania Avenue between North Wayne Avenue and a point 150 feet west of Plant Avenue. Work should be completed this month.
Aqua will notify residents of any scheduled water service interruptions during construction. For emergencies, customers should call Aqua’s Customer Service Center at 877-987-2782. AQUA: $4 MILLION in water system improvements…

Construction is under way on Aqua Pennsylvania projects in Delaware County totaling more than $4.1 million to install new water mains and make improvements to ensure better water service and boost flows for firefighting.
In Lansdowne and Upper Darby, a $1.1 million project will replace 6,156 feet of aging water mains with new eight-inch ductile iron mains on the following streets:
Owen Avenue between Garrett Road and Greenwood Avenue.
Drexel Avenue between Windermere and Owen avenues.
Plumstead Avenue between Windermere and Lansdowne avenues.
Albemarle Avenue between Windermere and Owen avenues.
The latter project should be finished in June.
In Springfield, a $465,000 project will replace 2,226 feet of aging mains with new eight-inch ductile iron mains on West Springfield Road between South State Road and South Britton Road. Work is scheduled for completion in May.
In Glenolden, a $450,000 project will replace 2,285 feet of aging mains with new eight-inch ductile iron mains on Ashland Avenue between Llanwellyn Avenue and a point 240 feet south of Chester Pike and on Scott Avenue between Gardner Avenue and a point 200 feet east of Cooke Avenue. The project is scheduled for completion in June.
In Radnor, a $341,000 project involves replacement of 1,553 feet of aging mains with new eight-inch ductile iron mains on Plant Avenue between Woodland and Aberdeen avenues, on Willow Avenue between Radnor Street Road and Aberdeen Avenue, on North Aberdeen Avenue between Plant Avenue and Aberdeen Terrace, and on Aberdeen Terrace between North Aberdeen Avenue and Radnor Road in Radnor. Work should be completed this month.
In Swarthmore, a $380,000 project will replace 1,920 feet of aging mains on Swarthmore Avenue between Widener Way and a point 400 feet north of College Avenue and on Swarthmore Avenue between Princeton and Ogden avenues. Work should be completed this spring.
In Ridley Park, a $516,000 project to replace 3,068 of aging main on Crum Lynne Road between West Ridley Avenue and Shaw Road, on Gilbert Road between West Ridley Avenue and West Road, and on Bonsall Road between Gilbert and Belair roads. Work should be completed this month.
In Radnor, a $855,000 project will replace aging mains with 6,603 feet of new six- and eight-inch ductile iron mains on Bloomingdale Avenue between Lancaster and Conestoga avenues, on West Wayne Avenue between Bloomingdale Avenue and Atlee Road, on Owens Avenue between Bloomingdale Avenue and a point 370 feet west of Bloomingdale Avenue, and on Atlee Road between West Wayne Avenue and a point 1,070 feet south of West Wayne Avenue. The project should be completed in May.
Also, in Radnor, there is a $63,000 project to replace aging main with 326 feet of new ductile iron mains on Pennsylvania Avenue between North Wayne Avenue and a point 150 feet west of Plant Avenue. Work should be completed this month.
Aqua will notify residents of any scheduled water service interruptions during construction. For emergencies, customers should call Aqua’s Customer Service Center at 877-987-2782.