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.

ROAD WATCH FOR Jan. 17
SEPTA Regional Rail routes will operate with new schedules starting today.
Media/Elwyn R3 – most mid-day service to Elwyn will operate uop to 7 minutes later due to several construction projects. Trains will depart Suburban Station in Philadelphia from 10:12 a.m. until 2:12 p.m.
Norristown R6 – mid-day weekday service has been restored to pre-2009 schedule times. Inbound trains will operate from Norristown Transportation Center from 9:05 a.m. until 3:29 p.m.
Outbound trains are scheduled to depart Suburban Station from 8:53 p.m. until 2:43 p.m.
The new schedules are currently available on the SEPTA Web site at www.septa.org/schedules/upcoming.html.
Passengers will also be able to pick up new timetables at Market-East, Suburban and 30th Street stations and SEPTA sales offices.
You can also call the Customer Service Department at 215-580-7800.
Commodore Barry Bridge
On Tuesday, between 12 and 4 a.m. there will be two 15-minute traffic stoppages in both directions on the Commodore Barry Bridge to accommodate work being done on an ongoing construction project.
The work involves placement of steel beams on the bridge. It is part of PennDOT’s $71 million project to construct two new ramps off the bridge to provide direct access between I-95 and Route 291 (Second Street). Construction is scheduled to finish in 2011.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
All state driver license and photo centers will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online.
SEPTA transit and regional rail services will operate on regular weekday schedules for the observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day Monday. Regular weekday peak and off-peak fares will be in effect during the day.
Personalized Plates
Drivers can now go online to check the availability of personalized license plates from PennDOT.
Pennsylvanians have requested that the option to check personalized license plates availability be available online.
To check for the latter, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us and select “Online Driver and Vehicle Services.” Individuals may apply for a personalized license plate by completing Form MV-904.
There are about 276,000 personalized plates in use across the state.
Blue Route Lane Closures
Nighttime lane closures will continue this week for motorists traveling on the Blue Route (I-476) in Montgomery County as crews continue preparations for the February start of southbound reconstruction 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 lanes from the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Mid-County Interchange (Exit 20) through the I-76 Interchange (Exit 16) tonight through Thursday 10 p.m.-5 a.m. the following morning.
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) tonight through Thursday from 10 p.m. each evening until 5 a.m. the following morning.
In addition to the lane closures, motorists may encounter traffic pattern shifts at on- and off-ramps at both Exit 16 and Exit 18 during the nighttime operations.
The scheduled lane closures will be in place as part of two separate projects currently under way on this stretch of the Blue Route which involve work to improve the twin spans over the Schuylkill River.
Improvements to the northbound bridge were completed in 2009.
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.
Nether Providence – Baltimore Pike, core boring with lane restrictions between Grandview and Beatty roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday.
Brookhaven and Chester – ADA ramp construction with restrictions at Providence Avenue 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Tinicum – Fourth Avenue, ADA ramp construction with lane restrictions at North Governor Printz Boulevard 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Also, Jansen Avenue, ADA ramp construction with lane restrictions at Second Avenue 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Springfield – Springfield Road, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation with restrictions at Netherwood Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
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.
Commodore Barry Bridge West – Chester, bridge work, right lane closed on the bridge with a 24-hour closure through Aug. 31. Work began Dec. 14.
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.

For Jan. 10…Road Watch col.
(PennDOT to shift Blue Route Traffic Pattern for next stage of construction)
Early Tuesday morning, PennDOT plans to shift the Blue Route (I-476) traffic pattern near the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) Interchange for the next stage of construction to rehabilitate bridges over the Schuylkill River.
The express-lane traffic pattern on I-476 near the I-76 Interchange in West Conshohocken and Plymouth Township in Montgomery County will move from the southbound to the northbound side of the highway. Construction will then begin on the next phase of the $47.4 million project to repair/rehabilitate the 35-year-old twin bridges spanning the Schuylkill River.
The Blue Route’s new traffic pattern within the bridge construction zone will have two southbound lanes running on the southbound side of the highway.
A third southbound lane will cross over and run on the northbound side of I-476 to cross over the bridge. This lane will then shift back to the southbound side of I-476 just south of the bridge.
I-476 North will carry three northbound travel lanes plus the southbound express lane.
Motorists traveling on I-476 between I-76 and Ridge Pike interchanges can expect to face lane closures and slowdowns from 10 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday while crews paint traffic lines to implement the new traffic pattern in the construction zone.
PennDOT District Executive Lester Toaso advised southbound I-476 motorists to avoid using the express lane if they want to exit at the I-76 Interchange. I-476 South drivers will not be able to access the I-76 exit ramp if traveling in the southbound express lane.
PennDOT is using the express-lane pattern, which places one travel lane on the opposite side of the highway within the construction zone, to keep three travel lanes open in each direction on I-476 and to expedite construction.
“We are cutting by a year the time to rebuild the I-476 bridges with the use of the express-lane pattern,” Toaso said. “This pattern allows us to keep six travel lanes open and to accelerate the construction schedule by providing the contractor with a larger area in which to work.”
PennDOT began construction to rehabilitate the bridges last March. The project is scheduled to finish in December 2010.
Crews worked the past 10 months on the northbound bridge and this year they will rebuild the southbound structure.
Once the new traffic pattern is in place this week, crews will work on I-476 South weeknights 10 p.m.-5 a.m. for about two weeks to set construction barriers in place and secure the barriers to the bridge deck to create a protected work zone on the bridge.
I-476 South will be reduced from three lanes to two during this overnight operation. When the barriers are in place, crews will then begin work to rebuild the western half of the southbound I-476 bridge.
This portion of I-476 carries between 128,000 to 145,000 vehicles a day.
Driver License Center Closings
All driver license and photo centers will be closed Saturday and Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online.
Commodore Barry Bridge
Intermittent traffic stoppages are scheduled 12:01-5 a.m. Monday on the Commodore Barry Bridge and the I-95 ramps to the bridge in Chester, including the Ninth Street ramp to the bridge for bridge construction.
The work is part of PennDOT’s $71 million project to construct two new ramps off the bridge to provide direct access between I-95 and Route 291 (Second Street). Construction is scheduled to finish in 2011.
Crews are building a new ramp off the approach to the bridge to enable I-95 motorists to exit onto Route 291. A second ramp being built off the bridge will allow Route 291 drivers to reach I-95.
I-95 Bridge Repairs
Lane restrictions are scheduled this week on I-95 North/South in Philadelphia for bridge repairs.
Weekdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m., I-95 North/South will be restricted between Girard Avenue and Woodhaven Road (Route 63) for bridge structure repairs.
Northbound traffic on the I-95/Girard Point Bridge in Philadelphia will be reduced from three lanes to two weekdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for the installation of painting platforms.
Also, lane restrictions are scheduled on I-95 and I-676 in the city weekdays this week for a series of bridge inspections.
Traffic Delays
I-95 South – Lower and Upper Chichester, Chester, Intelligent Transportation System foundation installation, lane restrictions between Naamans Road and Highland Avenue 9 p.m.-5 a.m. weeknights.
I-95 North – Lower and Upper Chichester, Chester, ITS foundation installation, lane restrictions between Naamans Road and U.S. Route 322, 9 p.m.-5 a.m. weeknights.
I-95 North/South – Upper and Lower Chichester, Chester City, Chester Township and Upland, trenching with shoulder closures between Naamans Creek Road (Route 491) and Broad Street, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
I-95 North ramp – Tinicum, trenching, right shoulder closed on ramp to Industrial Highway (Route 291) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
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.
Route 320 (Madison Street) – Chester, ADA ramp construction, lane restrictions between Fifth and 22nd streets, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
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 on the $4.2 million project by J.D. Eckman Inc.
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.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.