For July 26….ROAD WATCH…
For the second consecutive month, Pennsylvanians drove slightly less compared to the same period last year, while Americans nationwide drove about the same number of miles, according to recent federal data cited by AAA.
In May, Pennsylvanians drove 107 million fewer miles, a decrease of 1.2 percent compared to May 2008. Eighteen other states also posted decreases in vehicle miles traveled or VMT in May.
Nationwide, Americans drove more, posting a minimal increase of 0.1 percent or 176 million more vehicle miles traveled. This is the second consecutive increase in national vehicle miles traveled. Before the increase of 0.5 percent reported in April, the Federal Highway Administration hadn’t reported a rise in VMT since October 2007.
Due to data collection and analysis, federal highway data generally is released on a two-month delay.
“Gas prices rose about 40 cents a gallon during the month of May and the increase may have dampened driving,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Catherine Rossi. “More likely it was the overall economy.
“Motorists are holding back on travel as they struggle with economic pressures,” she said.
VINE EXPRESSWAY
Construction starts 9 p.m. Monday on a 4 1/2-month-long, $3.6 million project to improve the Vine Expressway (I-676) between 18th Street and I-95 by replacing 77 sections of deteriorated concrete pavement.
During construction, I-676 will be reduced to one lane in each direction Mondays-Fridays from 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning.
In addition, I-676 will be closed completely in one direction on four or five nights in August 11 p.m.-5 a.m. Detours will be posted when one side of the expressway is closed.
Construction is scheduled to finish in mid-December.
Motorists are urged to use an alternate route or allow at least 30 extra minutes for travel on I-676 when lane closures are in place for construction.
“Motorists need to stay informed of the work taking place on I-676 so they can make smart decisions when traveling to or through Center City Philadelphia during this project,”said PennDOT District Executive Lester C. Toaso.
For the first time in Pennsylvania, PennDOT will use precast steel reinforced concrete slabs to replace cracked and worn sections of concrete pavement on I-676 in order to minimize traffic impacts normally associated with concrete pavement replacements.
The precast slabs allow PennDOT to remove and replace sections of concrete pavement and put traffic on it in nine hours compared to conventional construction and a curing process that last 19 hours, Toaso said.
“If we went the conventional route, we would have had to restrict I-676 travel lanes on weekends and the project would not have been completed until 2010,” he said.
Starting Monday, crews will begin saw cutting damaged sections of I-676 East/West, working each night 9 p.m.-5 a.m.l
Beginning Aug. 3 at 8 p.m., workers will begin to remove/replace sections of concrete pavement on I-676 East starting at 18th Street.
Work is expected to begin the week of Aug. 10 to replace damaged concrete on I-676 West.
Complete closures of I-676 West are expected to occur two nights in mid-August near the 15th Street exit.
RUMBLE STRIPS
Rumble strips will be installed 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays on sections of Routes 1, 3, 13, 322, 452 and 491 in Delaware County, PennDOT said.
The work is part of $1.9 million project to provide safety improvements on many state highways in southeast Pennsylvania. The project includes reflective pavement markers, safety rumble strips, new and upgraded traffic signals and guide rails at various locations in the five-county region.
NEWTOWN SIGNALS
A $129,291 contract has been awarded by PennDOT for a municipal traffic signal improvement project in Newtown, Delaware County, and Easttown Township, Chester County, financed with federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Construction will start in late September and finish in December.
PennDOT awarded Kuharchik Construction of Exeter, Pa., the contract to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Route 252 (Darby-Paoli Road) and White Horse Road to enhance traffic flow and safety at the intersection.
About 20,000 vehicles a day travel on Route 252 through the intersection. The presence of a traffic signal also will allow White Horse Road motorists to turn safely onto Route 252. Presently, the intersection operates with a stop sign on White Horse Road. Newtown funded the engineering design phase of this improvement project.
Traffic Delays
Line painting – Bethel, Chadds Ford, Concord, Radnor, Haverford, Tinicum and Upper Darby, slow moving operation to paint lines on state highways, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays.
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 10 p.m.--5 a.m. weekdays through Tuesday.
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 weekdays through Nov. 30.
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.
Also, Naamans Creek Road, utility installation between Marian Drive and Foulk Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through July 31.
Also, Garnet Mine Road, Bethel Sewer Authority utility installation between Naamans Creek and Kirk roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through July 31.
Also, Foulk Road, utility installation between Naamans Creek and Zebley roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through July 31.
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.

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.

Road Watch Col. For July 12
Philadelphia ranks as one of the least safe driving cities, sixth worst in the nation, according to a report released by Allstate Insurance Company.
For the fifth year, Allstate has released its annual report which ranks America’s 193 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which cities have the safest drivers, according to Allstate data. This year’s report highlights America’s most improved motorists.
Philadelphia ranked seventh worst last year. Of the 10 largest cities, Philadelphia ranked dead last for the second year in a row.
The average driver in Philly will experience an auto collision every 6.4 years, a decrease of 0.2 from the 2008 report. Drivers in the city are 57 percent more likely than the national average to experience a crash.
“We don’t want drivers in Philadelphia to be discouraged by their ranking,” said an Allstate spokesman. “Instead, we hope the report will challenge drivers in Philadelphia to make positive changes to their driving habits that will in turn make the city a safer place to live, work and raise families.”
Auto crashes in general have declined over the last few years, but crash fatalities still average around an alarming 40,000 every year despite technological advances, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Human error is the biggest cause of accidents so it is vital for drivers across the country to be tolerant and attentive behind the wheel.
Alexandria, Va., topped the most-improved chart, improving its years between accidents by 1.8 years and climbed from the 194 spot in 2005 to 174 in 2009. Five of the top 10 most improved driving cities were located in Virginia: Alexandria, Hampton, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Richmond.
Drivers from Sioux Falls, S.D., maintained their status as the safest city in this year’s report for the fourth consecutive year. However, two new cities championed their way into the top 10, Eugene, Oregon, and Boise, Idaho.
Drivers in cities with populations of 1 million or more are more likely than the national average to experience a collision. Motorists in Phoenix, Ariz., topped the list in this category, making them the safest big city commuters.
Allstate offers the following safe driving tips:
BULLET Minimize distractions: engaging in any other activity while driving, talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station or putting on makeup is a distraction.
BULLET Be aware of road conditions: ice, snow, fog and rain are all hazardous weather conditions which require extra caution and slower speeds.
BULLET Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and others, at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed.
BULLET Steer clear of road rage. Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for traveling, planning your route in advance and altering your schedule or route to avoid congest roads. Don’t challenge aggressive drivers and avoid them.
BULLET Maintenance matters. Safety also depends on the maintenance of one’s car. Ensure that the engine, brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.
WATER MAIN WORK
Aqua Pennsylvania will close Church Lane (Route 13) between Pembroke and Baltimore avenues in East Lansdowne starting Monday and through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for water main installation by Aqua Pennsylvania.
During construction, Church Lane traffic will be detoured over Pembroke Avenue, Lansdowne Avenue and Baltimore Avenue.
In addition, Baltimore Avenue will be closed between Church Lane and Lansdowne Avenue in Upper Darby, Lansdowne and East Lansdowne beginning July 20 and through Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for water main installation. During construction, Baltimore Pike traffic will be detoured over Route 13, MacDade Boulevard and Lansdowne Avenue.
Local access will be maintained up to the construction zones. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through these areas.
ITS PROJECTS
PennDOT awarded a $13.6 million contract to Carr & Duff Inc. of Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County, for a project to install Intelligent Transportation System equipment on I-95 and I-476 (Blue Route) in Delaware County.
PennDOT expects this project to go to construction later this month.
The ITS project covers 16 miles of I-95 between the Delaware state line and the Broad Street Interchange in Philadelphia.
The project also includes 14 miles of I-476 between the I-95 Interchange and Route 30 (Lancaster Avenue) Interchange in Delaware County.
The contractor will install 17 closed-circuit television cameras, three dynamic message signs, 14 vehicle detectors and 15 travel-time readers on I-95 to extend ITS coverage area to the Delaware state line.
The contractor will also install eight dynamic message signs and 11 travel-time readers on I-476 to complement the existing ITS equipment on the highway.
PennDOT also awarded a $190,000 contract to C. Abbonizio Contractors Inc. of Sewell, N.J., for the construction of new concrete curb ramps in Brookhaven.
Curb ramps will be constructed on Brookhaven Road between South Gray Street and Barlow Avenue, and on Bridgewater Road at Trimble Boulevard to ensure the new ramps meet the latest design standards.
Some 36 ramps will be rebuilt under this borough project and PennDOT expects construction to start in August.
Traffic Delays
Springfield -- Sproul Road (Route 320), road reconstruction and widening with lane restrictions between Baltimore Pike and Route 420, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 14. Work began July 6.
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.
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. Monday through October, detour posted.
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.
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.