For May 18---ROAD WATCH COL. (Prom/Graduation Season not season for drinking/driving)
With prom and graduation season upon us, PennDOT reminds young drivers to seriously consider the consequences of drinking and driving.
“The last weeks of the school year are an exciting time, but can have devastating consequences if not celebrated safely – especially behind the wheel,” says PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler.
“Driving is a complex activity involving multiple tasks and it requires split-second decision making,” he said.
“Drinking alcohol impairs a wide range of skills necessary for carrying out these tasks,” he said.
Drivers between the ages of 16-20 were involved in 1,719 alcohol-related crashes in 2007. Sixty-six of that age were killed in those crashes, including 34 drivers who had been drinking, 25 passengers and seven pedestrians.
Pennsylvania’s Zero Tolerance Law carries serious consequences for those under 21 who are convicted of driving with any amount of alcohol in their blood.
In addition, those under 21 who are convicted of driving under the influence with a .02 blood-alcohol content or greater, face severe penalties, including a 12- to 18-month license suspension, 48 hours to six months in jail and fines from $500 to $5,000.
PennDOT also reminds young drivers that a vehicle does not have to be involved in order for them to lose their driving privileges.
It is against the law for an individual under 21 to consume, possess or transport alcohol, or lie about their age to obtain alcohol and carry a fake identification card. If convicted, the minimum penalties are a fine of up to $500, plus court costs; a 90-day license suspension for the first offense; a one-year suspension for the second offense; and a two-year suspension for the third and subsequent offenses.
PennDOT also reminds young drivers to buckle up no matter where they are seated in a vehicle. Last year, nearly 112 individuals aged 16-20 who died in crashes were not wearing seat belts and 17 of those were riding in the second or third row of the vehicle and one was riding on the exterior of the vehicle.
Barry Bridge Work
Starting May 19, The Commodore Barry Bridge area will undergo major projects with lane closings due to an $8 million deck joint repair project. This will be followed by a $71 million project to build two new ramps to provide direct access between Route 291 (Second Street) and I-95 in Chester.
The $8 million project involves replacing 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.
There will also be a lane restriction on wide-load traffic weekdays on the bridge through the duration of the project, according to DRPA spokesman Ed Kasuba.
Wide loads will be banned eastbound until after noontime.
Westbound wide loads will not be permitted on the bridge after 10:30 a.m. This is because only three of the five lanes will be open at all times during the project.
Two lanes will be open westbound during the morning rush hours and two lanes eastbound will be open during the afternoon rush hours.
The ramp from the Barry Bridge westbound into Pennsylvania to Flower Street will be closed for two months on or about May 19, Kasuba said. Signs are posted.
Also, construction begins early this month 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.
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.
Clearing work will be performed first and some aerial easements must be worked out with some property owners, he said.
Road Rage Survey
Believe it or not, a new national survey on road rage indicates Philadelphia-area drivers appear to be behaving a lot better than those in other major cities nationwide.
Philadelphia ranks 15th among cities with the least courteous drivers, according to the AutoVantage “Driver’s Seat Road Rage Survey.”
Miami was ranked first among the worst, followed by Boston, New York, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Philadelphia’s ranking actually improved compared to last year’s when it was ninth.
Lowest on the list was Pittsburgh, followed by Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Minneapolis and Cleveland.
DRPA Officer Honored
DRPA Police Officer James Hartnett was selected this year’s winner of the New Jersey Law Enforcement Recognition Award by the New Jersey chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
He will be honored for his exemplary service during an awards ceremony in New Brunswick on June 11. Currently assigned to the Betsy Ross Bridge, Hartnett joined the DRPA police in 1992 and has received 47 letters of commendation. He was named Police Officer of the Year in 2001.
Fuel Price Finder
If you’re looking for the cheapest gas in your region, you can log on to AAA.com and look for the Fuel Price Finder on the home page, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
Unlike other online gas price Web sites, AAA’s collects data from more than 100,000 outlets nationwide and comes from actual credit card transactions and direct feeds, not “spotters.”
Locally, 4,000 of the 100,000 outlets are located in Pennsylvania, 300 outlets are in Delaware and 2,600 are in New Jersey.
Price data is updated several times daily. Prices are available for within three, five and 10 miles of an intersection.
Consumer Reports ranked the AAA Fuel Price Finder first among the four “most helpful” online gas price sites last December.
Seven in 10 motorists recently told Gallup pollsters they make an effort to find the cheapest gas around. This makes the AAA Fuel Price Finder invaluable to budget-conscious motorists.
AAA reports it is seeing a significant increase in the usage of its online gas savings and trip planning tools.
Traffic Delays
Upper Providence – Bishop Hollow Road, Aqua utility installation between Cape Cod Drive and Toftwoods 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through May 23.
Haverford – Marple Road, utility installation at Darby Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through June 27.
Also, Darby Road, utility installation at College Avenue and Williams Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-June 27.
Also, Darby Creek Road, utility installation at Darby Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through June 27.
Springfield – Baltimore Pike, Aqua utility installation between Route 320 (Sproul Road) and Paper Mill Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 30. Work began April 21.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

ROAD WATCH COL. For May 11

The Commodore Barry Bridge area will undergo major projects with lane closings due to an $8 million deck joint repair project starting May 19.
Also,following the deck joint job, work will begin on a $71 million project to build two new ramps to provide direct access between Route 291 (Second Street) and I-95 in Chester.
The $8 million project involves replacing 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.
Beginning May 19 there will be a lane restriction on wide-load traffic weekdays on the bridge through the duration of the project, according to DRPA spokesman Ed Kasuba.
Wide loads will be banned eastbound until after noontime.
Westbound wide loads will not be permitted on the bridge after 10:30 a.m. This is because only three of the five lanes will be open at all times during the project.
Two lanes will be open westbound during the morning rush hours and two lanes eastbound will be open during the afternoon rush hours.
The ramp from the Barry Bridge westbound into Pennsylvania to Flower Street will be closed for two months on or about May 19, Kasuba said. Signs are posted.



Also, construction begins this month 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.
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.
Race for the Cure
Today, SEPTA will operate a special early morning R3 Media-Elwyn train and provide additional capacity on its other regional rail lines to accommodate spectators going to the Race for the Cure.
The extra R3 Media-Elwyn train will depart Elwyn station in Middletown at 6:22 a.m. today and arrive at Suburban Station in Center City Philadelphia at 6:57 a.m.
In addition, SEPTA will also add extra service for race spectators traveling on the Route 101 Media trolley today. The trolley will operate with an extra round trip departing 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby at 5:25 a.m. and arriving at Orange Street Station in Media at 5:47 a.m.
For the return trip back to 69th Street Terminal, the trolley will depart Orange Street Station at 5:55 a.m. and arrive at the terminal 6:22 a.m. Passengers may then board the Market-Frankford Line at 69th Street Terminal and ride into Philadelphia for the race.
Further information is available online at www.septa.org or by calling customer service at (215) 580-7800.
SEPTA
SEPTA will operate regular Market-Frankford Line train service between 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby and the Frankford Transportation Center this weekend to accommodate passengers this Mother’s Day weekend instead of previous shuttle bus service between 69th Street and 40th Street stations.
Regular Market-Frankford Line train service will also be in operation during the Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25.
LANSDOWNE
Aqua Pennsylvania will restrict Lansdowne Avenue between Fairview and Lincoln avenues in Yeadon for water main installation 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday.
BIKE TOUR
On May 18, the Delaware Valley Bicycle Club will host their annual Bonkers Tour at Ridley Creek State Park.
The event is open to all bicyclists with route options of 18-, 35-, 50- and 63 miles spanning rolling, scenic roads surrounding Media. The $25 fee enables DVBC to support many local bike advocacy groups and includes cue sheets, marked routes, sag wagon support and food stops.
Registration opens at 8 a.m., says DVBC president Drew Knox.
For more details, go online at dvbc.org or call Knox at (302) 475-1684.
Traffic Delays
Chadds Ford – Creek Road, Chester Water Authority installation between Baltimore Pike and Upper Bank Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday.
Also, U.S. Route 1 North/South – paving between Brinton Lake Road and Chester County line 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Monday.
I-95 South Ramp, Bartram/Essington avenues – Tinicum, barrier repairs, left lane closed to Bartram/Essington avenues 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday.
Chester – U.S. Route 13 North/South, milling between Ninth Street and Ridley Creek 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Monday-Thursday.
Also, I-95 South, line painting, left lane closed on ramp to U.S. Route 322 Bridge (Commodore Barry Bridge) 9 p.m.-5 a.m. weekdays.
U.S. Route 13 North/South – Marcus Hook, Trainer and Chester, road work between Route 452 and Ridley Creek 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
I-95 North/South – Tinicum, overhead sign inspection, one lane closed between Route 420 and Route 291, 9 a.m.-noon weekdays.
I-476 North/South (Blue Route) – guiderail work, shoulder/partial lane restrictions between MacDade Boulevard and Chemical Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays in a moving operation.
I-95 North/South – guiderail work with shoulder/partial lane restrictions between Philadelphia city line and Delaware state line 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays in a moving operation.
Kerlin Street – Upland and Chester, sidewalk repairs between Upland Road and I-95 on-ramp 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Upland Avenue – Upland and Chester, milling between Edgmont and Upland avenues 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Thursday-Friday.
Edgmont – Sweetwater Road, base repairs between Valley and Creek roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Also, Sweetwater Road, paving between Glen Mills and Valley roads 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Wednesday-Thursday.
U.S. Route 202 – Concord, paving between Pennsylvania state line and Smithbridge Road 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Thursday-Friday.
Thornbury – Thornton Road, headwall repairs between Derry and Buck Run roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Upper Providence – Bishop Hollow Road, Aqua utility installation between Cape Cod Drive and Toftwoods 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through May 23.
Haverford – Marple Road, utility installation at Darby Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through June 27.
Also, Darby Road, utility installation at College Avenue and Williams Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-June 27.
Also, Darby Creek Road, utility installation at Darby Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through June 27.
Brinton Lake Road – Concord and Thornbury, paving between Route 1 and Dilworthtown Road 7 p.m.-6 a.m. Wednesday-Thursday.
Springfield – Baltimore Pike, Aqua utility installation between Route 320 (Sproul Road) and Paper Mill Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 30. Work began April 21.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, reminding operators of all vehicles to share the road as more motorcyclists will be heading out on state roads this year.
“With the increase of motorcycle use across the commonwealth, we all need to watch out for and respect one another on our highways,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler.
“Drivers need to be especially alert for motorcycles, which sometimes are not as easily seen as larger vehicles,” he said.
More than 4,100 crashes involving motorcycles occurred in the state in 2007, resulting in 225 motorcycle-related fatalities.
The number of registered motorcycles and licensed motorcyclists increased in 2007 by nearly 22,000 and nearly 13,000, respectively.
By virtue of their size and differences in maneuverability, motorcycles present unique challenges for their operators and other drivers. To improve safety, PennDOT recommends that motorists always check their mirrors and blind spots at intersections, and before making lane changes since motorcycles are smaller and harder to pick out among larger vehicles.
Likewise, vehicle operators are also reminded to allow adequate following distance and space for a motorcycle to maneuver. Road and weather conditions that may be minor annoyances to the average driver can pose a major hazard for motorcyclists.
SIGN INSPECTIONS
There will be several lane restrictions on I-95 in Chester and Tinicum this week due to overhead sign inspections.
Today (May 6) and Thursday the right lane of I-95 North/South will be closed 9 a.m.-3 p.m. between Exit 6 (Route 320) and Exit 9 (Essington/Prospect Park).
Today, one lane of Route 291 North/South in Tinicum will be closed 9 a.m.-noon between Fourth Avenue and Philadelphia International Airport in Tinicum.
Today and Thursday, one lane of Route 420 North/South will be closed noon-3 p.m. between Darby Creek and Second Street.
Wednesday and Friday, one lane of I-95 South will be closed between Darby Creek and Fourth Avenue 9 a.m.-noon in Tinicum.
Wednesday and Friday, one lane of I-95 North in Tinicum will be closed between Darby Creek and Fourth Avenue noon-3 p.m.
Thursday, one lane of the I-95 North/South/Wanamaker Avenue Collector,will be closed 1-3 p.m. between Darby Creek and Fourth Avenue.
Commodore Barry Bridge
The Commodore Barry Bridge area will undergo major projects with lane closings due to an $8 million deck joint repair project this 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 no exact date has 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.
Construction begins early this month 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.
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.
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.
Traffic Delays
Chester/Upland – Kerlin Street Bridge sidewalk repairs, lane restrictions on bridge over Chester Creek, 6 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Thornbury – Thornton Road, headwall repairs between Derry and Buck Run roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Route 291 – Eddystone/Ridley Township, inlet maintenance between Saville and Stewart avenues 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Chadds Ford – U.S. Route 1 North/South, paving between Brinton Lake Road and Chester County line 6 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays.
Brinton Lake Road – Concord and Thornbury, paving between Route 1 and Dilworthtown Road 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Friday.
Springfield – Baltimore Pike, Aqua utility installation between Route 320 (Sproul Road) and Paper Mill Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 30. Work began April 21.
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. Monday/Tuesday.
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.