May 24 – Road Watch Col.

For a second month in a row, Pennsylvanians traveled slightly more vehicle miles compared to the same period last year, AAA Mid-Atlantic reports.
In March 2009, residents drove 163 million more miles, an increase of nearly 2 percent compared to March 2008.
Seventeen other states also posted slight increases in vehicle-miles traveled, according to federal highway data.
Nationally, Americans continued to drive less, posting a decrease of 1.2 percent or 3.1 billion fewer vehicle-miles traveled. Due to data collection and analysis, federal highway data is generally released on a two-month delay.
“Pennsylvania motorists are doing more driving,” said Catherine Rossi, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman. “Normally, we start to see more driving as weather improves.
“This is markedly different than most preceding months,” she said. “When we get April VMT numbers, we will know whether PA motorists have truly picked up the pace.”
I-95 – Philadelphia
Nighttime lane restrictions are scheduled starting Tuesday, May 26, on I-95 South between Academy Road and Cottman Avenue in Philadelphia for concrete repairs. Crews will work weeknights 8 p.m.-5 a.m. through June 9.
During this work, I-95 will be reduced from four lanes to two lanes. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area as backups may occur.
I-95 -- Delco
Lane restrictions are scheduled on I-95 South between the Commodore Barry Bridge and Route 322 interchanges in Chester starting Tuesday night.
The southbound traffic will be restricted from three lanes to two lanes 10 p.m.-5 a.m. during the next two weeks, PennDOT said. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through this area as backups may occur.
This work is part of PennDOT’s $10.8 million project to make structural repairs to 41 bridges on I-95 between Chichester Avenue and Route 332 in Bucks, Delaware and Philadelphia counties. The project is scheduled to finish in March 2010.
Lentz Legislation
State Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-161, of Swarthmore, has introduced legislation that would allow local police – not just state police as is the current practice – to catch speeding vehicles and increase traffic safety in the state.
In every state except Pennsylvania, municipal police officers are authorized to use radar to enforce speed limits. Radar is one of the most effective and accurate speed-control devices available.
“Putting radar equipment in the hands of local police would increase safety on our streets and reduce fatalities,” Lentz said. “Consistent enforcement of the speed limit would deter habitual speeding and send a definitive message that reckless driving is dangerous and not tolerated.”
Radar use would be permitted only by full-time local officers who are employed by full-service police departments and who have undergone training that has been approved by both state police and the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission.
The legislation would permit local police officers to use radar in certain circumstances and with reasonable restrictions.
Lentz said his bill would also create a fund to provide grants for municipal law enforcement accreditation.
Traffic Delays
West Baltimore Avenue – Upper Darby and Lansdowne, AT&T conduit installation, one lane closed between Church Lane and Lansdowne Avenue 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; 6 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through June 12. Work begins Monday.
Upper Chichester – Naamans Creek Road, utility installation, closed/detoured between Meetinghouse Road and I-95, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., weekdays through July 18. Work began May 11.
Haverford – Coopertown Road, Aqua installation, closed/detoured between College Avenue and Darby Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 28. Work began April 20.
Also, College Avenue closed/detoured 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays between Coopertown Road and Spring Mill Lane.
Marple – Media Line Road, Aqua installation between Lovell Avenue and Highland Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m weekdays through May 29. Work began Jan. 12.
Chester — Flower Street, ramp construction with a new traffic pattern at Fourth and Second streets, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Also, Norris Street, ramp construction with lane restrictions at Front Street and Delaware Avenue, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Ridley Park – Ridley Avenue, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Constitution Avenue and Cresswell/Tasker streets 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and through Aug. 28. Work began March 9.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.