For January 24: ROAD WATCH
(POTHOLE SEASON STARTS EARLY)
With the recent thaw with high temperatures expected to hover in the mid to upper 40s this week – compared to subfreezing weather the first week of January – potholes are popping up before the usual spring thaw.
With potholes making an earlier than usual appearance in the region this year, PennDOT is asking motorists to use its toll-free number – 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623) – to report pothole locations so they can repair them as quickly as possible, said PennDOT District Executive Lester Toaso.
“Our road maintenance hotline also provides an easy way to report maintenance problems such as downed signs and shoulder washouts,” he said.
Potholes are created when moisture seeps into the pavement, freezes, expands and then thaws.
As temperatures warm the cold pavement, melting and evaporating any ice, this creates air pockets that can eventually cause the pavement to break up. A winter of heavy snow or rain and several freeze-thaw cycles can mean a big pothole season ahead.
During cold weather, temporary repairs are made with cold patch asphalt because the weather is too chilly to use hot asphalt. Hot asphalt is used for permanent repairs during warmer weather.
Roads with high traffic volumes and older pavements are susceptible to potholes due to amount of use and the potential for water to seep beneath the pavement. Bridges and ramps, which receive heavy doses of snow removal chemicals in the winter, are more prone to potholes.
PennDOT’s hotline is staffed 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. Calls from across the state are automatically route to the closest PennDOT regional office. Callers can leave a message if calling after regular business hours or on weekends.
Callers should be as specific as possible when providing locations of potholes or other maintenance problems.
Callers need to report the county, municipality, street name or traffic route number. Provide a description of any familiar landmarks near the problem area to help PennDOT locate the spot.
Toaso said PennDOT corrects these maintenance problems as soon as possible, with emergency road repairs receiving top priority.
The pothole number should not be used to report traffic crashes, disabled vehicles or other emergencies. Motorists should continue to call 9-1-1 to report the latter types of emergencies.
Blue Route
Nighttime lane closures are scheduled this week starting tonight on the Blue Route (I-476) and Ridge Pike in Montgomery County as crews continue preparations for the February start of southbound construction between the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Mid-County Interchange and the I-76 Interchange, PennDOT said.
I-476 South will be reduced from three lanes to two from the turnpike’s Mid-County Interchange (Exit 20) through the I-76 Interchange (Exit 16) from 10 tonight until 5 a.m. the following morning through Thursday.
I-476 North will be reduced from three lanes to two from just south of the I-76 Interchange (Exit 16) to the Ridge Pike Interchange (Exit 18) from 10 tonight until 5 a.m. the following morning through Thursday.
Also, Ridge Pike East/West may be reduced to one lane in either direction between Chemical Road and Alan Wood Road tonight through Thursday, 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning.
In addition to the above lane closures, motorists may encounter shifting traffic patterns at on- and off-ramps at both Exit 16 and Exit 18 during the nighttime operations.
I-95 – Philadelphia
Lane restrictions are scheduled this week on I-95 North/South in Philadelphia for bridge repairs.
I-95 North/Girard Point Bridge in Philadelphia will be reduced from three lanes to two 8 p.m.-12 a.m., and from three lanes to one from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. weekdays for the installation of painting platforms.
I-95 North/South will be restricted between Academy Road and Woodhaven Road (Route 63) 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays for bridge structure repairs.
I-95 North/South will be restricted between Girard Avenue and Woodhaven Road 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays for bridge structure repairs.
Traffic Delays
I-95 North – Upland, Chester City, Chester Township, Ridley Township, Intelligent Transportation System Foundation installation with lane closures between U.S. Route 322 and the Blue Route (I-476) 9 p.m.-5 a.m. today through Friday.
I-95 South – Ridley Township, Tinicum and Ridley Park, ITS installation with lane closures between Route 291 and the Blue Route, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. today through Friday.
Brookhaven and Chester – ADA ramp construction with restrictions at Providence Avenue 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Tinicum – Fourth Avenue, ADA ramp construction with lane restrictions at North Governor Printz Boulevard 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Also, Jansen Street, ADA ramp construction with lane restrictions at Second Avenue 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Commodore Barry Bridge West – Chester, ramp construction, center lane closed on bridge, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Also, bridge work, right lane closed on bridge, 24-hour closure through August 2010. Work began Dec. 14.
I-95 North/South ramps to the bridge – Chester, bridge construction with 15-minute stoppages on ramps 12:01-5 a.m. Tuesday.
Collingdale – MacDade Boulevard, utility installation with restrictions between Felton and Roberta avenues 5:30 p.m.-7 a.m. weeknights through Feb. 5. Work began Jan. 11.
Baltimore Pike (U.S. Route 1) – Middletown and Chester Heights, bridge replacement with lane restrictions between Darlington and Station roads, 24-hour restrictions through June 2011. Work began Oct. 12.
Chester – Flower Street, Barry Bridge ramp construction with a new traffic pattern at Fourth Street and Second Street, 24-hour restriction, through 2011. Work began January 2009.
Chester – Norris Street, bridge ramp construction with lane restrictions at Front Street and Delaware Avenue, 24-hour restrictions through 2011. Work began January 2009.
Road Watch appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.