ROADS COLUMN, for July 19…
(Reflective Markers to be installed next two weeks on I-95 next two weeks in Delco)
New reflective markers will be installed during the next two weeks on I-95 in Delaware County from the Delaware state line approaching Exit 1 to Exit 12 (Philadelphia International Airport), PennDOT said.
The work is part of a $421,347 project to install reflective pavement markers on several state highways and ramps in the region.
Installation will be done tonight through Thursday and from July 26 to 28 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. The work crew will occupy one lane to conduct a slow-moving operation.
Motorists are advised to be alert of this moving operation and to expect possible slowdowns when driving near the work crews. The operation is dependent on the weather.
PennDOT is installing the markers to improve visibility and safety for drivers at night and in bad weather such as rain or fog. They are installed along center lines, edge lines and ramps.
The markers more clearly define travel lanes and ramps, helping to prevent lane crossovers.
The devices supplement the reflective paint that is already used to designate highway lanes. Similar markers have been installed on many highways in the state.
It only takes a minute or less to install each marker, so it is possible to install about 66 markers per hour, depending on the location.
Each marker has a cast-iron housing with a plastic reflector in the center. The devices measure 10 inches long by 5 1/2 inches wide, and weigh about 5 1/2 pounds each. Yellow reflectors are used for center lines, white reflectors are used for edge lines and two-color (red and white) reflectors are for exit and entrance ramps.
The reflector is recessed below the surface of the housing and is designed to be plowed of snow.
Similar reflectors have already been installed on Route 3, Route 30 and Route 322 in Delaware County and I-95 in the vicinity of Philadelphia International Airport.
Traffic Delays
Line painting – Springfield, Media, Swarthmore, Chester, Upper Darby and Lansdowne, slow moving operation to paint lines on state highways, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays.
U.S. Route 202 – Chadds Ford and Concord, paving between Baltimore Pike and Brintons Bridge Road 7 p.m.-5 a.m. tonight through Wedsnesday.
Radnor – Lancaster Avenue (Route 30), milling/paving between Chester County line and Radnor-Chester Road 7 p.m. tonight through Thursday.
I-95 North/South – Upper and Lower Chichester, Upland, Ridley Township and Tinicum, raised pavement marker installation between the county line and Girard Point Bridge 9 tonight--5 a.m. through Wednesday.
Concord – Concord Road, Transcontinental Gas Pipeline inspection, closed/detoured between Foulk Road and East Rivera Drive, 24-hour detour posted, through July 30. Work begins Monday.
Upper Chichester – Naamans Creek Road, Southern Delaware County Authority utility installation, closed/detoured between Larkin and Meetinghouse roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m., detour posted starting Monday and through Sept. 6.
Baltimore Avenue – Lansdowne, East Lansdowne, Upper Darby, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation, closed/detoured between Church Lane and Lansdowne Avenue, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., detour posted starting Monday and through Nov. 30.
West Chester Pike (Route 3) – Edgmont, Haverford, Marple and Newtown, rumble strip installation between Chester County line and Springfield Road, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday-Friday.
Bethel – Pyle Road, Bethel Township Sewer Authority utility installation between county line and Trotters Lea Lane 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-July 28.
Also, Naamans Creek Road, utility installation between Ashbrook and Foulk roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 21. Work began June 4.
Springfield – Sproul Road (Route 320), road reconstruction/widening between Baltimore Pike and Route 420, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 14. Work began July 6.
Holmes Road/Amosland Road – Ridley Township, Prospect Park and Norwood, Aqua utility installation between MacDade Boulevard and Chester Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Oct. 2, detour posted.
Tinicum – Second Street, Aqua Pa. utility installation between Erickson and Putcan avenues 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 31. Work began June 1.
Springfield – Baltimore Pike, AT&T conduit installation, with lane restrictions between Norwinden Drive and Sproul Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through July 30. Work began June 10.
Middletown and Media – Baltimore Pike, AT&T conduit installation with lane restrictions between Routes 452 and 352, 7 p.m.-6 a.m. weeknights through Aug. 28. Work began April 20.
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. weekdays and 6 p.m.-6 a.m. weeknights through July 30. Work began May 18.
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 through Aug. 28. Work began April 20.
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.