ROAD WATCH for March 29….
Springfield Doesn't Need Billboards
Springfield commissioners are leading the fight against a developer’s proposal to erect up to seven double-faced billboards – 14 signs in all – along the so-called Golden Mile, Baltimore Pike.
The commissioners say the 14 signs, each measuring 672 square feet and 62 feet high, would present a major safety hazard to drivers.
Commissioners are working with township Solicitor Jim Byrne to coordinate the response to an application by the Bartkowski Investment Group to the zoning hearing board challenging the township’s zoning ordinance which bans billboards.
Bartkowski has also filed a second request seeking a township variance to construct the billboards.
The first hearing was held Thursday at the township building.
“This proposal to erect massive billboards poses a serious safety hazard to drivers along Baltimore Pike,” said Second Ward Commissioner Gina Sage whose ward encompasses much of the pike.
“Billboards are a distraction to drivers and studies have shown that anything that distracts a driver’s attention for more than two seconds greatly increases the chances of crashes and near crashes,” Sage said.
The seven proposed sites are located near Springhaven Square, the T-Mobile store, Pandolfi Carpet, the former Ferraro Cadillac property, Primo’s, Hobbytown and Klaussner Furnishings.
Bartkowski has made similar challenges to zoning laws in other communities in the county, including Marple and Haverford.
“Don’t Start Bart,” is my slogan when it comes to flooding the Golden Mile with unsightly huge billboards like they have on interstates. There’s enough accidents on the pike what with all the shopping strips. We don’t need any more distractions.

With negotiations looming with the union representing SEPTA’s Victory Division (formerly Red Arrow) workers whose contract expires Wednesday, labor talks are continuing with Transport Workers Union Local 234 which represents some 4,700 employees in the City Transit Division.
On the heels of the TWU’s decision not to strike after its four-year contract expired March 15, the United Transportation Union Local 1594, representing about 340 vehicle operators in Delaware County, has agreed not to strike.
The suburban workers union traditionally resumes negotiations after the city transit unit reaches a settlement.
Key issues have been wages, job security, pension benefits and health care.
SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney late Friday afternoon said, “we are still communicating with the TWU. Lines of communication are open.”
Negotiations haven’t really begun yet with the UTU because of the latter talks, he said.
TWU Local 234 President Willie Brown has said he “will not hold the riding public hostage” by striking in this down economy as many riders depend upon SEPTA to commute to and from their jobs.
Both sides have indicated they want a four-year contract for the City Transit Division.
At a meeting of SEPTA officials with the Daily Times editorial board, General Manager Joseph M. Casey said, “what we’re trying to do is balance our needs and also their demands and their concerns.
“They’re asking for significant increases in the pension, but we have to balance that with wages and we have to balance that with the increase in health-care costs,” he said.
From a Road Watch standpoint, fortunately motorists won’t have to endure the major gridlock to and from the city that accompanies such a transit strike, not to mention the hardship on those who depend on SEPTA daily to go to work.
AQUA ROAD WORK
Starting Monday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, and through May 8, Thomson Avenue in Springfield will be closed/detoured between Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road (Route 320) for roadway restoration.
Also starting Monday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, and through May 1, Media Line Road will be closed/detoured between West Chester Pike (Route 3) and Gradyville Road in Marple and Newtown. The detour will follow West Chester Pike, Newtown Street Road and Gradyville Road.
Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
Maintenance Web Site
To help educate motorists about maintenance operations on state roadways, PennDOT has posted information “cards” on its Web site – www.dot.state.pa.us – explaining 12 of its most common procedures.
“PennDOT crews work year round, but motorists may not recognize what work is under way or why that work is essential to the safety and efficiency of our transportation network,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler.
“We developed these Web-based maintenance cards so customers can easily access a description of our maintenance activities, including what equipment is required, how the work is performed, and why it is necessary,” he said.
To view the cards, visit PennDOT’s site and then click on “What Is Maintenance?” The cards explain bridge maintenance and cleaning, joint and crack sealing, line painting, manual patching, mechanized patching, pipe replacement/cleaning, shoulder cutting, shoulder grading, signing, surface treatment, vegetation management and winter operations.
I-76 Bridge Inspection
On Tuesday, the right lane will be closed on I-76 West between Gulph Mills and Route 202 in Upper Merion 9 a.m.-noon for bridge inspection. The eastbound right lane will be closed noon-3 p.m. the same day.
Operation Safe Driver
State police and officers from more than 20 municipal departments statewide conducted 2,419 commercial motor vehicle roadside inspections and placed 118 vehicles and 114 drivers out of service for violations during Operation SAFE (Seat belt And Fatigue Enforcement) Driver on March 24, state police said.
State Police Commissioner Frank Pawlowski said 948 citations, including 88 for drivers not wearing seat belts, were issued during the daylong operation.
Although national studies indicate that only 65 percent of commercial vehicle drivers buckle up when they climb behind the wheel, 94 percent of commercial drivers checked during the operation were wearing seat belts, Pawlowski said.
Roosevelt Extension
Monday begins a $5.9 million project to repair/resurface the Roosevelt (Boulevard) Extension between the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) and Ninth Street in Philadelphia. Construction is expected to finish in late September, PennDOT said.
Crews will work Monday-Wednesday nights from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to eradicate traffic lines and paint new traffic lines and install temporary concrete barriers.
Once the concrete barriers are in place, the northbound/southbound left lane will be closed between I-76 and Broad Street.
“This section of the Roosevelt Extension will be reduced to two lanes in each direction for approximately three months,” said PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso.
The barriers will provide a work zone for crews to remove the existing median barriers, mill and pave the asphalt pavement, repair concrete damage, install concrete median barriers, he said.
Under this project, crews will also install shoulder rumble strips and reflective pavement markings.
Traffic Delays
I-476 North/South (Blue Route) – Radnor and Marple, raised pavement markers, left lane closed between Montgomery County line and West Chester Pike (Route 3), 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Monday-Tuesday.
Concord – Dilworthtown Road, pipe cleaning between U.S. Route 202 and Stoney Bank Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Radnor – Eagle Road, pipe repairs at King of Prussia Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Chester – Edgmont Avenue (Route 352), curb ramp construction between 15th Street and I-95, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 1-25.
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.
Chester – 14th Street, curb ramp construction between Providence Road and Esrey Street 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 1-25.
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.
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.
U.S. Route 1 North — Middletown, PECO Energy utility installation between Red Roof Road and Pennell Road (Route 452) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 1. Work began Dec. 22.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

FOR MARCH 22—Road Watch…
Miles Less Traveled
Pennsylvanians and the rest of the country continue to drive less, according to the Federal Highway Administration, which shows the trend of fewer vehicle miles traveled that began in late 2007 and continued into this year.
In January, Pennsylvanians drove 353 million fewer miles, a decline of 4.5 percent, compared to January 2008. Nationall, Americans drove 7 billion fewer miles or 3.1 percent less for the same period. Only five states have posted slight increases.
According to the FHWA, this is the first “back-to-back” decline for January since 1981-1982. The decline now exceeds 122 billion vehicle miles traveled (VMT), compared to the same 14-month period – December 2006 to January 2008 – a year earlier.
In 2008, driving in the state dropped by 835 million vehicle miles of travel, down 0.8 percent compared to the previous year. Nationally, driving fell by 107.9 billion, a decline of 3.6 percent.
“Clearly, some economic conditions are having a prolonged effect on our driving habits,” says AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Catherine Rossi.
“Some people aren’t commuting because they no longer have jobs and lower gas prices aren’t pushing drivers back out on the road,” she said. “We expect that we will continue to see fewer vehicle miles being driven this year – at least for the foreseeable future.”
TURNPIKE WORK
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission cautions motorists that a 14-mile stretch of the toll road will be closed in both directions for six hours this weekend, March 22/23, between Valley Forge Exit 326 and Downingtown Exit 312 to allow a contractor to demolish the bridge that carries Route 252 over the turnpike in Tredyffrin, Chester County.
Starting at 12:01 a.m. today, all westbound turnpike traffic will be diverted off at the Valley Forge Interchange, Montgomery County, and all eastbound turnpike traffic will be diverted at the Downingtown Interchange.
The turnpike will re-open to traffic by 6 a.m. Sunday, March 22.
All motorists exiting the turnpike at the Valley Forge and Downingtown interchanges, including E-ZPass customers, will be handed an alternate route card at the toll booth which provides the best route to re-enter the turnpike.
Designated E-ZPass lanes will be disabled and the state police and turnpike personnel will be available to help motorists.
Once all turnpike traffic is clear of the demolition zone, the contractor will have six hours to complete the demolition and clean-up. Bi-directional, single-lane traffic restrictions will continue after the turnpike reopens at 6 a.m. for additional construction work within the one-mile work zone.
All lanes will be open and traffic will be fully restored by 10 a.m. today.
The $4.8 million Valley Forge Road Bridge project is the first of two bridges targeted for replacement as part of the total reconstruction and six-lane widening of the turnpike from milepost 320 to milepost 326 (Valley Forge Interchange).
U.S. Route 202
Motorists on Route 202 in Chester County will encounter nighttime lane closures this week for guide rail installation between the Route 401 and Route 29 interchanges in East Whiteland, PennDOT said.
The route’s northbound/southbound left lanes will be closed Monday-Thursday from 10 p.m. each night until 5 a.m. the next morning.
Traffic Delays
Route 352 – Middletown and Brookhaven, patching between Glen Riddle and Brookhaven roads 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday.
I-476 North/South (Blue Route) – Radnor and Marple, raised pavement markers, left lane closed between Montgomery County line and West Chester Pike (Route 3), 9 p.m.-5 a.m. March 30-31.
I-476 South – raised pavement markers, left lane closed between West Chester Pike and I-95.
U.S. Route 13 North/South (Chester Pike) – Yeadon, patching between MacDade Boulevard and Baltimore Avenue 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Tuesday.
Prospect Park – Amosland Road, replacement of CSX railroad crossing, closed/detoured weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. between Urban and Baldwin avenues March 23-27.
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.
Marple — Media Line Road, Aqua utility installation between Lovell Avenue and Highland Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May. 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.
U.S. Route 1 North — Middletown, PECO Energy utility installation between Red Roof Road and Pennell Road (Route 452) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 1. Work began Dec. 22.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

ROAD WATCH COL. For March 15
Starting 10 tonight, PennDOT will reduce traffic on I-476 North (the Blue Route) to a single lane near the I-76 (Exit 16/Schuylkill Expressway) interchange to implement a new traffic pattern about 5 a.m. Monday.
The new traffic pattern will consist of two northbound lanes running on the northbound side of the highway and one northbound express lane on the southbound side of the Blue Route.
Concrete barriers will separate the northbound express lane from the three southbound lanes on the southbound side of I-476.
Early Monday morning when crews implement the new traffic pattern, one lane of northbound through traffic will cross over to the southbound side of I-476 and onto the express lane on the southbound Schuylkill River Bridge.
This northbound express lane, which crosses back to rejoin I-476’s two northbound lanes north of the bridge will be utilized for the duration of the northbound bridge reconstruction.
The new pattern is being put into place in Montgomery County as PennDOT begins the first major stage of the $47.4 million project to repair and rehabilitate the 35-year-old twin bridges spanning the Schuylkill River in Plymouth Township and West Conshohocken.
“We are cutting by a year the time to rebuild the I-476 bridges with the use of the express lane pattern,” said PennDOT Sixth District Executive Lester Toaso.
The pattern will allow PennDOT to keep six travel lanes open and accelerate the construction schedule by providing the contractor with a larger area in which to work on the $47 million project. Both bridges are structurally deficient due to the condition of the bridge deck and beams.
This stretch of the Blue Route carries an average daily traffic volume of 135,000 vehicles per day.
PennDOT will rebuild the Blue Route’s northbound bridge this year and the southbound span in 2010. The use of the express lane pattern is scheduled to end in November 2010.
The entire bridge improvement project is scheduled to finish by November 2011.
St. Patrick’s Patrol
Using PennDOT funding, local and state police will conduct DUI checkpoints and patrols at various times and locations throughout Southeast Pennsylvania through St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday.
Highway/Bridge Work List
PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler will hold a press conference 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Capitol in Harrisburg to release the final list of highway/bridge projects to be financed by $1 billion made available to Pennsylvania under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
He will release a list of non-stimulus projects to go to contract this year.
Proposed Cell-Phone Ban
State Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, outlined his case for the legislature to pass a hand-held cell phone ban at a Capitol news conference Wednesday. He has been advocating passage of such a ban while driving since 2006.
Last month, he reintroduced his legislation, House Bill 538, with 70 co-sponsors, to ban this dangerous driver distraction. Shapiro, who was joined by a bipartisan group of legislators, introduced Jacy Good, a Lancaster County native and an advocate for the cell phone ban.
In May 2008, Jacy’s parents, Jay and Jean Good, were killed in a car accident caused by a driver using a hand-held cell phone on Route 222 in Berks County. The Goods were returning from Jacy’s graduation ceremony at Muhlenberg College. The accident also left Jacy in a temporary coma.
“I am pushing for the cell phone ban because it is the best way to honor my parents’ memory,” Jacy Good said. “This bill will help prevent my family’s tragedy from being repeated.”
Shapiro cited the hundreds of e-mails and phone calls he has received from citizens all across the state in support of his efforts as evidence that the public wants the legislature to act.
He has received more than double the support from fellow legislators when he first introduced his legislation in 2006.
SCHUYLKILL EXPRESSWAY
Eastbound I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) will be reduced from two lanes to one at the University Avenue/Grays Ferry Avenue Interchange (Exit 346B) in Philadelphia during overnight hours this week for the replacement of expansion joints on two bridges carrying the expressway over the Schuylkill River, CSX railroad tracks, Gray Ferry Avenue and 34th Street, PennDOT said.
The highway’s eastbound right lane will be closed weekdays 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning.
Motorists are advised to allow additional time when traveling east on the expressway during overnight construction.
Traffic Delays
Ridley Township – MacDade Boulevard, inlet repairs between Route 420 and Amosland Road 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Tuesday.
U.S. Route 13 (Chester Pike) – Eddystone and Ridley Park, crack sealing between Bullens Lane and Route 420, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
Prospect Park – Amosland Road, replacement of CSX railroad crossing, closed/detoured weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. between Urban and Baldwin avenues March 23-27.
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.
Marple — Media Line Road, Aqua utility installation between Lovell Avenue and Highland Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May. 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.
U.S. Route 1 North — Middletown, PECO Energy utility installation between Red Roof Road and Pennell Road (Route 452) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 1. Work began Dec. 22.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

ROAD WATCH COL. FOR March 8
(Spring Clocks Ahead; Cell Phone Debate; SEPTA savings)
Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 a.m. today when clocks spring forward one hour, meaning you lost an hour of sleep.
Each year this event coincides with the end of National Sleep Awareness Week when PennDOT urges motorists to avoid drowsy driving and get enough sleep before doing so.
According to PennDOT, over a five-year period ending in 2007, there were 107 fatalities involving fatigued drivers statewide. The peak hours for drowsy driving crashes are 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. when 13 percent of such crashes occur.
Each year, drowsy driving crashes throughout the U.S. result in at least 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Like alcohol and drugs, sleep loss or fatigue impairs driving skills such as hand-eye coordination, reaction time, vision, awareness of surroundings, decision-making, judgment and inhibition.
PennDOT recommends motorists get enough sleep – 7 to 9 hours – take breaks about every two hours on long trips, stay away from sedating medications and always buckle up before driving.
According to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, 60 percent of Americans have driven while feeling sleepy and 37 percent admit to actually having fallen asleep at the wheel in the past year.
Drivers who sleep less than six hours per night on weeknights are significantly more likely to risk a crash than drivers who sleep eight hours or more.
This is the third year in which Daylight Saving Time begins earlier.
The federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 mandated that, beginning in 2007, DST would begin the second Sunday in March and end on the first Sunday of November.
DST formerly began on the first Sunday of April and formerly ended on the last Sunday of October.
SEPTA Pre-Tax Transit Savings
The economic stimulus package signed into law by President Obama doesn’t just provide funding for transit agencies like SEPTA, it also provides pre-tax savings for those who ride the transit systems.
The law raises the amount of pre-tax income that workers who use public transportation and who enroll in employer-sponsored commuter benefits can use to pay for their daily commute on SEPTA. That means an increase in employer and individual employee cost-savings benefits.
The federal stimulus package increases the pre-tax transit benefit from $120 to $230 a month per employee, depending on their commuting costs,according to SEPTA Chief Press Officer Jerri Williams.
This increase goes into effect immediately. By taking advantage of the pre-tax transit benefit, a SEPTA rider can protect the money they spend on their bus, train or trolley commute from federal income tax and FICA taxes, saving them hundreds of dollars over the course of the year.
The increased maximum brings parity to the financial incentive to take public transportation and finally matches the pre-tax allowance for parking. Employees may simultaneously receive both subsidized parking and mass transit benefits.
SEPTA offers four programs for corporations that want to provide transit benefits for their employees. For more information, call 215-580-7138 or visit www.thecommuterschoice.com.
Give Me A Break
I heartily disagree with a Philadelphia columnist who believes yakking while driving reduces your blood pressure in a traffic jam or when somebody cuts you off. In short, it can be good for your health.
Last week, she blasted New Jersey for cracking down on motorists using hand-held cell phones, calling it a revenue-maker. She contends it’s not a safety measure.
Rather than lowering my blood pressure, it really bugs me every time I see someone yakking away and holding only one hand on the wheel while making a sharp turn at a busy intersection or on a sharp curve.
Granted, some studies have shown that using hands-free cell phones and being preoccupied in a conversation instead of focusing on traffic conditions can still be a distraction.
So no law’s perfect, but I commend state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, for hanging in there the past few years and again introducing legislation, House Bill 538, to ban using hand-held cell phones while driving. Hands-free devices would be permitted.
Years ago, I remember being instructed by my high-school driving instructor that you should try to keep both hands in the 10 of 2 o’clock position – or something similar – so that it’s easier to go hand-over-hand while turning the wheel making turns. With me, it’s more like 10 of 3 o’clock – because my steering wheel has a cross-brace at that position which is easier to grab.
The main point is that people can hardly control their vehicles with two hands – alone with one, while holding a cell phone or hamburger.
One-handed driving only fosters sloppy turns and lack of evasive driving – period.
Oh, by the way, how’s blabbing away with an irate girlfriend or spouse, or teen daughter or son who’s got a personal problem -- or maybe you are late while driving somewhere -- lower your blood pressure? Pull over and park, if you have a pressing, personal problem.
Such talk can lower your blood pressure, she writes – give me a break.
Ben Franklin Bridge Painting
The fifth and final phase of the Ben Franklin Bridge De-leading and Painting Project is nearing completion, according to the Delaware River Port Authority.
In preparation for this final phase, the DRPA will hold an Open House 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Philadelphia Veterans Mujlti-Service & Education Center, 213 N. Fourth St., Philadelphia.
The agenda includes a presentation on the schedule and technical description of the work that needs to be done, discussion of the steps that will be taken to minimize impacts to neighbors and a question-and-answer session.
“The authority remains committed to keeping the public informed as the de-leading and painting of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge draws to a close,” said DRPA CEO John J. Matheussen. “We will continue to work hard to cause as little inconvenience as possible.”
The $20 million project is scheduled to be completed Dec. 15.
Traffic Delays
I-476 South – Haverford, sound wall repairs/preparation to set up barriers, right lane closed between Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30) and West Chester Pike (Route 3) interchanges, 9 p.m. Wednesday-3 a.m. Thursday.
Ridley Park – Ridley Avenue, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Constitution Avenue and Crosswell/Tasker streets 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and through Aug. 28. Work began March 9.
Marple — Media Line Road, Aqua utility installation between Lovell Avenue and Highland Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May. Work began Jan. 12.
Also, West Chester Pike (Route 3) – Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation at Franklin Getz Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through March 13. Work began Feb. 25.
Springfield -- Route 320 (Sproul Road) – PECO utility installation at Kennerly Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through March 11. Work began Feb. 16.
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.
U.S. Route 1 North — Middletown, PECO Energy utility installation between Red Roof Road and Pennell Road (Route 452) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 1. Work began Dec. 22.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

FOR MARCH 1, Road Watch col.
Pennsylvanians like the rest of the country drove fewer miles last year compared to 2007. The state was one of 17 states, however, which posted an increase in driving in December compared to the previous year.
For the four months prior to December, Pennsylvania posted a decline in vehicle miles traveled.
From January to December, cumulative driving in 2008 dropped in the state by 835 million vehicle miles, down 0.8 percent compared to the previous year.
Nationally, driving fell by 107.9 billion, a decline of 3.6 percent, according to the latest Federal Highway Administration report.
In December, Pennsylvania posted an increase of 143 million more miles than the same month in 2007.
“This trend of fewer-miles-traveled began in November 2007 when fuel prices started rising, reaching highest-ever gas prices eight months later,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Catherine Rossi.
“Normally, Americans drive three trillion miles a year,” she said. “We might have peaked in that regard. What’s the new normal when it comes to driving? That question remains unanswered right now.”
The year-over-year decrease in miles driven by Americans in 2008 over 2007 is more dramatic than other periods of decline, including the days of the long gas lines during the “oil price shock” in 1973, and the stock market crash of 1973-1974. Just 17 states bucked the national trend in December 2008 by posting an increase in vehicle miles traveled.
The 2008 yearly VMT decline dwarfs the 49.9 billion VMT decline of the 1970s, a decade characterized by high gas prices, fuel shortages and a recession.
Cumulative travel for 2008 is nearly 2.9 trillion VMT, federal officials estimate. In 2007, VMT totaled 3.029 trillion.
Free Motorcycle Courses
As spring approaches, some people may be thinking of hitting the roads soon on a motorcycle for the first time, without having to literally face winter winds over the handlebars.
The Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program is offering free classes for area residents to learn to ride a motorcycle. All information about the course is available at www.pamsp.com and cannot be obtained by contacting the training sites.
A motorcycle permit is needed in order to create your profile and register for a class. Participants will need to go to their local PennDOT Driver’s License Exam Center and obtain a permit before registering for a class.
Then go online and create your profile to become familiar with the site so you can quickly register when the class opens for registration. Instructions are on the Web site.
The MSP based in York, Pa., has been training motorcyclists since 1984. Last year, over 28,000 students were trained through the program. Successful students can now obtain their motorcycle license through either of the two programs offered.
The Basic Rider Course is designed for novice riders who want to learn basic skills to operate a motorcycle safely. Students who successfully complete both the knowledge and the skills test with MSP will receive a motorcycle license from PennDOT. Training motorcycles are provided.
The Experienced Rider Course is available for experienced riders who want to improve their skills and increase safety. Students who successfully complete the skills test with MSP will receive a motorcycle license from PennDOT. Students use their own motorcycle in this course.
For class schedules and more info, visit the Web site or call 1-800-845-9533, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon.
Bridge Lighting
The Ben Franklin Bridge will have special lighting to promote the American Red Cross and St. Patrick’s Day this month.
For most of the month, March 1-16 and March 18-31, the bridge will have red lighting to recognize American Red Cross Month, according to the Delaware River Port Authority.
On March 17, the bridge will participate in the Wearin’ o’ the Green with green lighting for the observance of St. Patrick’s Day.
Drive Safe PA Contest
High school students now have until March 13 to submit entries in PennDOT’s “Drive Safe PA” radio contest, due to inclement weather that caused cancellations in many school districts this winter.
Through the radio contest, high school students have the opportunity to remind drivers about the importance of highway safety through a 30-second radio public service announcement or PSA.
High school sophomores, junior and seniors are invited to create a PSA focused on aggressive driving, driving under the influence or failure to use seat belts. The PSA must include the phrase “Drive Safe PA,” which PennDOT is introducing as part of its continued commitment to highway safety.
One finalist will be chosen from each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts – this five-county region is District 6. The winning students will be invited to Harrisburg to have the PSA professionally recorded and then distributed to radio stations in their respective areas.
Winning students from each district will receive certificates and copies of the finished PSA.
Students can submit a completed audio PSA or written script which can be sent via e-mail to RA-penndotpress@state.pa.us, or mailed to PennDOT Press Office, c/o Alison Wenger, 8th Floor-Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
For complete contest rules, visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on Drive Safe PA.
Entries must be received or postmarked by March 13.
Traffic Delays
Prospect Park – Route 420 North/South (Lincoln Avenue), crack sealing between Route 291 (Industrial Highway) and U.S. Route 13 (Chester Pike) 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
I-95 North/South – Chester, patching between Highland and Edgmont avenues 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday.
I-476 South – Haverford, sound wall repairs/preparation to set up barriers, right lane closed between Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30) and West Chester Pike (Route 3) interchanges, 9 p.m. Wednesday-3 a.m. Thursday.
Brookhaven – Route 352 North/South, patching between Upland Avenue and Brookhaven Road 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday.
Ridley Park – Ridley Avenue, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Constitution Avenue and Crosswell/Tasker streets 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays starting March 9 and through Aug. 28.
Marple — Media Line Road, Aqua utility installation between Lovell Avenue and Highland Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May. Work began Jan. 12.
Also, West Chester Pike (Route 3) – Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation at Franklin Getz Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through March 13. Work began Feb. 25.
Springfield – Springfield Road, PECO Energy Co. utility installation between Rose Lane and Norwinden Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Thursday. Work began Feb. 20.
Also, Route 320 (Sproul Road) – PECO utility installation at Kennerly Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through March 11. Work began Feb. 16.
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.
U.S. Route 322 West (Conchester Highway) – Upper Chichester, PennDOT bridge repairs, left lane closed between I-95 and Route 452, 24-hour restriction through March 3. Work began Jan. 16.
U.S. Route 1 North — Middletown, PECO Energy utility installation between Red Roof Road and Pennell Road (Route 452) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 1. Work began Dec. 22.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.