For July 27, Road Watch
With the cost of everything from food to utilities spiraling in the wake of high gasoline prices, now the honchos at the Philadelphia Parking Authority, a city agency, want to jump on the bandwagon.
Is there another Great Depression in the works? A recession? Of course not, it’s just our imagination getting the best of us, right? There just seems to be no end to the average Joe and Joan having to dig deeper and deeper into their pockets to survive today.
Last week hearings were held on hiking the bridge tolls at the DRPA’s four bridges over the Delaware River by a buck this September and by another buck to $5 in 2010.
On top of this, parking rates at the Philadelphia International Airport are scheduled to soar next Friday. Rates will jump for parking garage stays longer than two hours.
The three-hour rate will go from $13 to $15 and the three-hour rate in the short-term lot rises the same way.
In the economy lot, the daily flat rate will go from $9 to $11.
The changes are expected to raise $6 million in gross revenue, Parking Authority spokeswoman Linda Miller told KYW Newsradio.
The increases reflect the citywide parking tax increase enacted by the Mayor and City Council.
If that isn’t enough of a squeeze on your wallets, Rina Cutler, deputy mayor for transportation, is recommending a hike in parking meter rates to help ease congestion from motorists searching for parking spaces instead of parking lots.
She points out that the meters now charging a dollar an hour are only one-eighth of the cost of the lots. I fail to find any logic in that analogy for the public.
Cutler contends that the best parking spaces are on the street, but the city only charges the least amount for them, creating congestion and a lack of turnover.
She hasn’t specified what the increased costs for using parking meters will be.
Just great, sock it to the visitor who can’t use public transit or is handicapped and needs to visit his or her doctor or hospital office – and often can’t find a reasonable parking lot nearby.
Sounds as popular an idea as the late Mayor Richardson Dilworth’s brainstorm to charge South Philadelphia residents for overnight parking, creating a great uproar among the residents.
BRIDGE BILL
The U.S. House has passed by a vote of 367-55 the National Highway Bridge Reconstruction and Inspection Act, H.R. 3999 which strengthens inspection requirements and standards and authorizes $1 billion to pay for reconstruction costs in fiscal year 2009.
This will be added to resources allocated under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, according to U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-7, of Edgmont, who voted for the above legislation. (Big Government really needs to be more brief in its wording of the latter equity act! Talk about a mouthful.)
The legislation will create a more effective highway bridge inspection system and invest in needed repairs on thousands of structurally deficient bridges, he said.
“We need to take responsibility for making certain that Americans feel as safe as possible on the roadways and that every possible precaution is taken to avoid an incident like the bridge collapse in Minnesota last year,” Sestak said.
“Pennsylvania alone has nearly 6,000 structurally deficient bridges, the most of any state, and receives $97 million through this bill,” he said.
One of the many inspection requirements in the bill mandates an immediate update of the National Bridge Inspection Standards by the Federal Highway Administration.
In addition, states must inspect all structurally deficient bridges every year and all other bridges every two years. More than half of bridges have existed before 1964 so it is important to have reliable information on the safety of these structures, he said.
GAS DOWN
Hard to believe, but gas prices have continued their descent in the five-county Philadelphia area and around the country.
According to the federal Energy Administration, drivers are seeing the largest one-week decline since Jan. 21.
The five-county Philadelphia region, including Delco, has had a gas average down a penny overnight Thursday to $4.06 a gallon. Friday’s average was 10 cents below the all-time high set on June 20. The area average hasn’t been at this level since June 5.
AAA believes that the further decline at the pump is possible if oil prices stay below $130 a barrel.
CHESTER COUNTY
Construction is set to begin Wednesday on a $3.8 million project to repair/resurface 21 miles of state roads in Chester County
Starting Wednesday night, crews will begin milling U.S. Route 202 between the Route 100 spur and the U.S. Route 30 interchange in West Goshen, West Whiteland and East Whiteland from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Route 202 will be restricted weeknights for about one month. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling on Route 202 during construction.
BRIDGE INSPECTIONS
Lane restrictions are scheduled on the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) and Roosevelt Boulevard (Route 1) in Philadelphia and the Blue Route (I-476) in Delaware County this week through Aug. 3 for bridge inspections.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
Springfield – Thomson Avenue, Aqua utility installation between Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 8.
Ridley Township – Route 291 North/South, milling/paving between Stewart Avenue and Crum Creek 6 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays.
I-476 North/South – various municipalities, vegetation control with lane restrictions between I-95 and Germantown Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday.
Chester – Flower Street, ramp construction, closed/detoured between Second and Front streets, 24-hour detour posted through Sept. 8. Began July 7.
Radnor – Spring Mill Road, PECO Energy utility installation between Lancaster Avenue (Route 30) and Hilldale Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekays through July 29.
Upper Darby – Lansdowne Avenue, PECO utility installation between Ardmore Avenue and Harwood avenues 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through July 31. Work began July 10.
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.
Amosland Road – Prospect Park and Norwood, Aqua installation between MacDade Boulevard and Chester Pike, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 29. Work began June 30.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

ROAD WATCH column for July 20
The Delaware County Transportation Management Association is doing its part to take motor vehicles off the road.
It’s started a pilot program for the rest of the summer condensing the work week for some staff and teleworking one day a week for others.
“As an organization, we’ve been promoting the financial and environmental benefits of condensed work weeks and teleworking for years, so we have decided to get in the game ourselves,” said Cecile Charlton, DCTMA executive director.
“It’s no secret that traffic congestion and high gas prices have many local commuters on edge, and I want my staff to be fresh and stress-free when they come to work,” she said.
“I want to make it easier on their commute, and on their pocketbooks,” Charlton said.
It may not seem to be much, but taking four cars a week off area roads for the next few months is a start, she said.
“If we were all able to find a way to leave our cars at home – even just one day a week – can you imagine the impact it would have on the bigger picture?” she said.
Charlton says she has asked her employees to keep a diary or blog of their experience over the next few months which will be posted on the organization’s Web site.
In a few months, they’ll assess the office productivity and experiences, “…and see if we can find some common ground on a permanent basis,” Charlton said.
The DCTMA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to improving the transportation network serving the county.
Maybe their gas-conservation effort will catch on with other employers and employees. A Road Watcher salute to DCTMA.
63RD & MARKET STREETS
The busy intersection at 63rd and Market streets, a major connection with points in West Philadelphia and Center City, reopen 4 a.m.Monday, July 21.
But motorists beware: it will be closed again – this time for 16 days -- between 7 p.m. Aug. 8 until 4 a.m. Aug. 25.
The closure is necessary for the final phase of rebuilding SEPTA’s century-old Market Street Elevated infrastructure.
As in past summers, shuttle buses will replace El service between 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby and 40th Street Station in West Philadelphia during the closing of the 63rd Street intersection.
For motorists who usually head into the city via 63rd Street and eastbound Chestnut Street, congestion is expected on Marshall Road, Haverford Avenue, Lansdowne Avenue, Baltimore Pike and Garrett Road as a result of the closure.
WANAMAKER ROAD CLOSING
Aqua Pennsylvania will close Wanamaker Avenue between the Industrial Highway (Route 291) and Second Street in Tinicum starting 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, July 21, for water main installation, PennDOT said.
Wanamaker Avenue will be closed weekdays through Oct. 31.
During construction, Aqua will detour Wanamaker Avenue through traffic over Route 291, Jansen Avenue and Second Street.
Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when driving through the area.
BRIDGE INSPECTIONS
PennDOT has scheduled lane restrictions on I-95, I-676 and the Roosevelt Boulevard (Route 1) this week in Philadelphia for bridge inspections.
BLUE ROUTE
The left lanes will be closed on I-476 North/South in Delaware and Montgomery counties for vegetation control. Crews will work 9 a.m.-3 p.m.July 21-22.
Also, overnight and daytime lane closures are scheduled today through Wednesday on I-476 between the I-76 and Ridge Pike interchanges in West Conshohocken and Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, for crossover and shoulder construction, and to remove debris from a bridge pier.
PHILADELPHIA
There will be lane and shoulder closures affecting I-95 and three ramps on I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) this week for barrier construction.
Motorists are advised to allow additional time to travel on I-95 and I-76 because backups may occur.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
I-476 North/South – various municipalities, vegetation control with lane restrictions between I-95 and Germantown Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Tuesday.
Middletown – Route 352 North, inlet repairs between Knowlton and Glen Riddle roads 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Tuesday.
Concord Road – Aston and Chester Township, patching between Engle Street and Dutton Mill Road 9 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays.
U.S. Route 1 North/South – Haverford, bridge wall repairs at Township Line Road 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) North/South – Middletown, patching between Ridley Creek Road and Elwyn Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Ridley Township – Route 291 North/South, milling/paving between Stewart Avenue and Crum Creek 6 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays.
Radnor – Spring Mill Road, PECO Energy utility installation between Lancaster Avenue (Route 30) and Hilldale Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekays through July 29.
Upper Darby – Lansdowne Avenue, PECO utility installation between Ardmore Avenue and Hardwood avenues 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through July 31. Work began July 10.
Ridley Township – Lincoln Avenue (Route 420), PECO installation between Eighth and 10th avenues, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through July 24. Work began July 3.
Chester – Flower Street, ramp construction, closed/detoured between Second and Front streets, 24-hour detour posted through Sept. 8. Began July 7.
Haverford – Darby Road, road widening/utility installation by Goldenberg Group, closed/detoured between Route 320 and Marple Road, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays through July 25. Detour posted. Work began May 27.
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.
Amosland Road – Prospect Park and Norwood, Aqua installation between MacDade Boulevard and Chester Pike, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 29. Work began June 30.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

ROAD WATCH -- July 13
Upper Darby and Millbourne Police prepared to handle expected traffic problems from nine-day shutdown of 63rd & Market sts. Intersection…
Upper Darby and Millbourne police chiefs say they are prepared to handle any traffic problems that may occur with the nine-day closing of the 63rd and Market streets intersection due to El reconstruction.
SEPTA commuters and motorists face a double-edged nightmare that began Friday night with the closing of the busy intersection which is a major connection with points in West Philadelphia and Center City.
The intersection will be closed until 4 a.m. July 21, and then again for 16 days between 7 p.m. Aug. 8 until 4 a.m. Aug. 25. The closure is necessary for the final phase of rebuilding SEPTA’s century-old Market Street Elevated infrastructure.
As in past summers, shuttle buses will replace El service between 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby and 40th Street Station in West Philadelphia during the closing of the 63rd Street intersection.
For motorists who usually head into the city via 63rd Street and eastbound Chestnut Street, congestion is expected on Marshall Road, Haverford Avenue, Lansdowne Avenue, Baltimore Pike and Garrett Road as a result of the closure.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood said this weekend the regular squads and patrols will be monitoring the situation as traffic dictates.
Starting Monday and through Friday, between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., the department will have six officers on overtime, the cost being absorbed by SEPTA, Chitwood said.
They will work the following locations: Garrett Road and Victory Avenue; 69th and Market streets; 69th and Ludlow streets; 69th Street and Marshall Road; Marshall and Powell roads; and Marshall and Cobbs Creek Parkway, he said.
This will also be done in August, he said.
“Now certainly as traffic patterns dictate, we may have to shift our resources, but that’s how we’re going to start out,” Chitwood said.
“Our hope is that motorists will find alternative routes,” he said. And that motorists will assist police in keeping the streets safe, he added.
Millbourne Police Chief David McCann said his department has been working closely with police from Upper Darby, Philadelphia and SEPTA.
“In fact, we have played a major part in the weekend ones as well, so we do have personnel deployed for it,” he said.
McCann said his department will try and make it run as smoothly as possible.
SEPTA's Community Information Center provides passengers, residents and businesses with information on the El reconstruction project.
Information on all SEPTA service is available by calling (215)580-6484 or (215)580-7800.
Motorists take note: with the reports in the Daily and Sunday Times the past few days and the various signs scattered about the area advising you about the shutdown, I hate to be an “I-told-you-so” if you don’t seek alternate routes and get stuck in traffic jams.
WANAMAKER ROAD CLOSING
Aqua Pennsylvania will close Wanamaker Avenue between the Industrial Highway (Route 291) and Second Street in Tinicum starting 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, July 21, for water main installation, PennDOT said.
Wanamaker Avenue will be closed weekdays through Oct. 31.
During construction, Aqua will detour Wanamaker Avenue through traffic over Route 291, Jansen Avenue and Second Street.
Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when driving through the area.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
Ridley Township – Lincoln Avenue (Route 420), PECO installation between Eighth and 10th avenues, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through July 24. Work began July 3.
Middletown/Chester Heights – U.S. Route 1 North/South, bridge repairs over Chester Creek Monday-Thursday.
Thornbury – Creek Road, pipe cleaning between Tanguy and Sweetwater roads 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Ridley Township – Route 291 North/South, milling/paving between Stewart Avenue and Crum Creek 6 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays.
Media, Middletown, Edgmont and Thornbury – line painting on state roads 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Motorists are urged to stay an ample distance behind line-painting trucks and stay off traffic lines.
Chester – Flower Street, ramp construction, closed/detoured between Second and Front streets, 24-hour detour posted through Sept. 8. Began July 7.
Haverford – Darby Road, road widening/utility installation by Goldenberg Group, closed/detoured between Route 320 and Marple Road, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays through July 25. Detour posted. Work began May 27.
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.
Amosland Road – Prospect Park and Norwood, Aqua installation between MacDade Boulevard and Chester Pike, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 29. Work began June 30.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.