For Nov. 15----Road Watch
Single-vehicle crashes were the cause of nearly 60 percent of traffic deaths on Pennsylvania roads in 2008, a recent analysis of federal data by AAA Mid-Atlantic shows.
That’s a 1 percent increase over the previous year. However, overall fatalities decreased by 1.5 percent in 2008.
In 2008, 845 of the 1,468 road deaths in the state were as a result of a single-vehicle crash, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported. The 2008 data shows the percentage of single-vehicle crashes in the state is the same as it was in 2006.
“A high percentage of traffic deaths from single-vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania is troubling,” says AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Catherine Rossi. “While the circumstances of each crash are different, we know drivers’ actions play a significant role.”
Drivers can lower their risk of a crash by avoiding distractions, not speeding and paying attention to road conditions, she said.
Most drivers consider single-vehicle crashes “freak accidents,” but in fact such crashes involved numerous contributing factors that motorists can control.
Distracted driving is chief among them. It increases the risks of single-vehicle and rear-end crashes, research shows.
Federal government studies show that 80 percent of crashes involve some form of driver inattention.
Pennsylvania’s percentage of single-vehicle crashes is six points higher than the most recent national average for single-vehicle crash road deaths, which was nearly 52 percent in 2007.
Pennsylvania’s single-vehicle crash deaths as a percentage of the total vehicle fatalities was as follows: 2008, 58 percent; 2007, 57 percent; 2006, 58 percent; 2005, 55 percent; 2004, 54 percent.
In Delaware last year, single-vehicle crash deaths accounted for 56 percent, 68 out of 121.
In New Jersey last year, these deaths accounted for 63 percent, 371 of 590.
Buckle Up
Nearly 88 percent of motorists on state roads are making the often life-saving decision to obey the law and buckle up, PennDOT said.
The 2009 seat belt use rate for Pennsylvania reached a record of 87.9 percent, an increase from the previous high of 86.7 percent reported in 2007.
Stronger traffic safety enforcement is one contributing factor to the rising seat belt usage rate.
About 450 municipal police departments and state police participate in national and statewide Click It or Ticket campaigns. More than 10,000 seat belt citations were issued by these departments in the last year.
PennDOT invested nearly $2.5 million of federal funding for this enforcement.
Another possible reason for the improvement is broader seat belt education aimed at students in kindergarten through grade 12. Law enforcement officers presented more than 850 programs reaching 47,000 students.
In conjunction with the programs, police increased the number of patrols around schools to encourage young drivers and their passengers to buckle up.
PennDOT reminds motorists that under state law, all front-seat passengers are required to buckle up. Failure to comply with the seat belt law can result in a penalty of $60, including the fine and other costs.
Children aged 4 to 8 must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat when riding anywhere in a motor vehicle. Also, children aged 8 to 18 must be in a seat belt when riding anywhere in the vehicle. Both of these laws are secondary – which means that drivers can be ticketed only when cited for another traffic violation such as speeding.
The state’s primary child passenger safety law requires children under the age of four to be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle. The fine for non-use of child safety and booster seats is a maximum of $100 in addition to other costs.
Hog Island Road Lighting
PECO Energy Co. has completed the first phase of a multi-year project to replace one-quarter of the street lights along Hog Island Road in Tinicum. The loop located east of Route 291 serves Philadelphia International Airport, the U.S. Postal Service Center, the Army National Guard post and several industrial customers.
About 20 street lights are being replaced each year.
Groundwater and moisture has caused damage to underground electric lines in the area and above-ground electric lines were not desirable in the area due to air traffic. The Hog Island area is made up mostly of marshes and meadows.
PECO recently completed about one mile of the underground work, using a combination of its electric and gas crews for the job. Another stretch will be replaced next year.
PECO and local officials discussed the project in recent months with particular concern for public safety, especially with local traffic. PECO said the conditions of the local area altered its typical engineering approach to the facility upgrades.
The new underground conduit will ensure electric lines are not affected by the constant exposure to moisture. Underground facilities tend to be less vulnerable to most weather conditions, such as wind and lightning, and other factors, including vehicle accidents.
However, when outages occur, it tends to take longer to identify and repair problems and is much more costly, PECO said.
Traffic Delays
Upland – Brookhaven Road, ADA ramp construction with lane restrictions between Trimble Boulevard and Bridgewater Road 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Tinicum and Chester – Fourth Avenue, ADA ramp construction between Second Street and Governor Printz Boulevard 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Also, Second Street, ADA ramp construction at Madison Street in Chester, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Chester – Kerlin Street, ADA ramp construction between 10th and 14th streets, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown and Chester Heights, bridge replacement between Darlington Road and Station Road, 24-hour restrictions through June 2011. Work began Oct. 12. Cost is $4.27 million; contractor is J.D. Eckman Inc.
Upper Chichester -- Naamans Creek Road (Route 491), utility installation by the Southern Delaware County Sewer Authority, closed/detoured between Meetinghouse and Larkin roads, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 24. Work began Sept. 28. Detour posted.
Naamans Creek Road – Chadds Ford, utility installation between U.S. Route 202 and I-95, 9 a.m.-3 p.m weekdays through Nov. 13. Work began Oct. 12.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown, Aqua Pa. utility installation between Black Horse Lane and Valley Road 8 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through Nov. 30.
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.
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.

For Nov. 1 --Road Watch Col.
Motorists traveling on the Blue Route (I-476) in Montgomery County will encounter nighttime lane restrictions this week starting tonight for continuing construction to prepare 3.2 miles of the highway for reconstruction next year, PennDOT said.
Northbound and southbound lane closures on I-476 will be in place tonight through Thursday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from just south of the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), Exit 16 Interchange, in West Conshohocken to the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Mid-County Interchange in Plymouth Township.
Tonight through Thursday, the left lane will be closed on I-476 North/South.
Tonight through Thursday, the two left lanes on I-476 North will be closed 11 p.m.-5 a.m.
PennDOT said the lane closures will be in place to allow crews to rebuild the highway’s shoulders and construct cross-over lanes in the grass median in preparation for implementing a traffic pattern shift early next year when reconstruction of the southbound side of I-476 begins.
The work is the initial stage of a $71.7 million project to replace the Blue Route’s deteriorated concrete pavement, rehabilitate six dual mainline bridges and one overhead structure, rebuild and widen the highway’s shoulders, improve storm water drainage, remediate an area prone to sinkholes and install 17 new sign structures.
Crews will work through late 2011 to rebuild this portion of I-476 that was built in the 1970s.
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Daylight Saving Time in most of the United States ends at 2 a.m., local time, today, the first day of November so make sure you set your clocks back one hour. With the darkness falling on local roadways much earlier, it’s important that motorists adjust their driving accordingly, especially with the glare of the setting sun and the need to be aware of pedestrians, especially children, crossing hazardous intersections.
Contrary to popular belief, no federal rule mandates that U.S. states or territories observe daylight saving time, according to National Geographic.
Most U.S. residents set their clocks one hour forward in spring and one hour back in fall. But people in Hawaii and most of Arizon along with the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands—will do nothing. Those locales never deviate from standard time within their particular time zones.
The federal law first passed in 1918 and, thanks to a 2005 revision that went into practice in 2007, now stipulates areas that observe daylight saving time must switch back to standard time at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November.
The new Daylight Saving Time rule requires that regions that observe daylight saving time begin at the same time on the second Sunday in March.
Brookhaven Signals
Construction will begin Monday on a $203,158 municipal project to improve traffic signals in Brookhaven. The work will be done 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
The project is financed with federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
BULLET Monday – lane restrictions are scheduled at the intersection of Bridgewater and West Brookhaven roads.
BULLET Tuesday – lane restrictions are scheduled at the intersection of Edgmont Avenue (Route 352) and Duttons Mill Road.
BULLET Wednesday –lane restrictions are scheduled at the intersection of Route 352 and Coebourn Boulevard.
BULLET Thursday – lane restrictions are scheduled at the intersection of Route 352 and Brookhaven Road.
BULLET Friday – lane restrictions are scheduled at the intersection of Route 352 and Trimble Boulevard.
Crews will improve traffic signals and pedestrian signals and signs in the borough.
Under the borough-designed project, workers will replace incandescent bulbs with light-emitting diode (LED) modules to enhance the visibility of the signals, plus provide a longer service life and use less energy than the incandescent bulbs.
New pedestrian countdown timers and push button controls will also be installed to enhance pedestrian safety.
The borough funded the engineering design phase of the improvement project.
Hog Island Road Lighting
PECO Energy Co. has completed the first phase of a multi-year project to replace one-quarter of the street lights along Hog Island Road in Tinicum. The loop located east of Route 291 serves Philadelphia International Airport, the U.S. Postal Service Center, the Army National Guard post and several industrial customers.
About 20 street lights are being replaced each year.
Groundwater and moisture has caused damage to underground electric lines in the area and above-ground electric lines were not desirable in the area due to air traffic. The Hog Island area is made up mostly of marshes and meadows.
PECO recently completed about one mile of the underground work, using a combination of its electric and gas crews for the job. Another stretch will be replaced next year.
PECO and local officials discussed the project in recent months with particular concern for public safety, especially with local traffic. PECO said the conditions of the local area altered its typical engineering approach to the facility upgrades.
The new underground conduit will ensure electric lines are not affected by the constant exposure to moisture. Underground facilities tend to be less vulnerable to most weather conditions, such as wind and lightning, and other factors, including vehicle accidents.
However, when outages occur, it tends to take longer to identify and repair problems and is much more costly, PECO said.
Route 202 North Bridge
Gov. Ed Rendell Saturday morning joined local officials in opening the new $8.4 million DeKalb Street (Route 202 North) Bridge in Bridgeport Borough, Montgomery County, which spans the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks.
Traffic Delays
Upland – Brookhaven Road, ADA ramp construction with lane restrictions between Trimble Boulevard and Bridgewater Road 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Tinicum and Chester – Fourth Avenue, ADA ramp construction between Second Street and Governor Printz Boulevard 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Also, Second Street, ADA ramp construction at Madison Street in Chester, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Chester – Kerlin Street, ADA ramp construction between 10th and 14th streets, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Middletown – U.S. Route 1 South, overhead line work between Elwyn Road and Valleybrook Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Friday.
Also, Lungren Road, SEPTA utility installation between Lenni Road and Parkmount Road 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays through Friday.
Norwood – Chester Pike, PECO Energy installation between Ridley and Garfield avenues 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Wednesday.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown and Chester Heights, bridge replacement between Darlington Road and Station Road, 24-hour restrictions through June 2011. Work began Oct. 12. Cost is $4.27 million; contractor is J.D. Eckman Inc.
Upper Chichester -- Naamans Creek Road (Route 491), utility installation by the Southern Delaware County Sewer Authority, closed/detoured between Meetinghouse and Larkin roads, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 24. Work began Sept. 28. Detour posted.
Naamans Creek Road – Chadds Ford, utility installation between U.S. Route 202 and I-95, 9 a.m.-3 p.m weekdays through Nov. 13. Work began Oct. 12.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown, Aqua Pa. utility installation between Black Horse Lane and Valley Road 8 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through Nov. 30.
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.
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.

Road Watch Col. –for Oct. 25
(PA. Driving Falls During August)
Pennsylvanians drove 3.1 percent less during August compared to the same period last year, according to the latest federal vehicle-miles-traveled report. Nationally, driving was essentially flat.
Pennsylvanians drove about the same number of miles during June and July 2009 as they did during the same months in 2008. However, driving fell sharply in August compared to the same month last year. Overall, summer driving in the state was virtually flat compared to 2008.
In August, Pennsylvanians drove 307 million fewer miles, a decrease of 3.1 percent compared to August 2008. Pennsylvania is one of 11 states that posted decreases in August, according to recent Federal Highway Administration data.
Due to collection and analysis, federal highway data generally is released on a two-month delay.
Nationwide, Americans drove about the same, 0.7 percent more or 1.9 billion more vehicle miles than in August 2008. Cumulative travel for this year is the same compared to the same period last year.
“Throughout the summer, Pennsylvanians were conservative in their driving,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Catherine Rossi.
“August is usually a heavily traveled month as families try to squeeze in vacations, but Pennsylvanians held back on travel,” she said.
The least traveled month was January, with a 4.5 percent decrease compared to the same month last year.
Traffic Delays
Baltimore Pike – Middletown and Upper Providence, paving between Route 352 and State Street, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.-5 a.m. weekdays.
Blue Route (I-476) North/South – Springfield, Nether Providence, Upper Providence, Marple, Haverford and Radnor, survey work with right shoulder closure between I-95 and Lancaster Avenue (Route 30) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday.
Brookhaven – Brookhaven Road, ADA ramp construction with restrictions between south Gray Street and Barlow Avenue 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Upland – Brookhaven Road, ADA ramp construction with lane restrictions between Trimble Boulevard and Bridgewater Road 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Tinicum and Chester – Fourth Avenue, ADA ramp construction between Second Street and Governor Printz Boulevard 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Also, Second Street, ADA ramp construction at Madison Street in Chester, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Chester – Kerlin Street, ADA ramp construction between 10th and 14th streets, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
Chester – Commodore Barry Bridge East, bridge work, right lane closed on bridge 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, 24-hour restriction.
Also, westbound right lane closed on bridge weekdays.
Chester – Second Street, bridge work with intermittent traffic stoppages between Reaney and Flower streets 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays.
Chester – Third Street, bridge work, intermittent traffic stoppages between Reaney and Flower streets 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays.
Barry Bridge – Chester, ramp construction with stoppages in both directions on bridge 12:01-5 a.m Friday.
Aston – Concord Road, curb installation between Lehr Boulevard and Village Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.
I-95 South – trenching with right shoulder closed between Naamans Creek Road and Chichester Avenue 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.
Middletown – U.S. Route 1 South, overhead line work between Elwyn Road and Valleybrook Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. starting Wednesday and through Nov. 6.
Also, Lungren Road, SEPTA utility installation between Lenni Road and Parkmount Road 7 a.m.-4 p.m. starting Thursday and through Nov. 6.
Norwood – Chester Pike, PECO Energy installation between Ridley and Garfield avenues 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 4. Work began Oct. 21.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown and Chester Heights, bridge replacement between Darlington Road and Station Road, 24-hour restrictions through June 2011. Work began Oct. 12. Cost is $4.27 million; contractor is J.D. Eckman Inc.
Upper Darby – Garrett Road, PECO installation between Wembly and Bayard roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays.
Upper Chichester -- Naamans Creek Road (Route 491), utility installation by the Southern Delaware County Sewer Authority, closed/detoured between Meetinghouse and Larkin roads, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 24. Work began Sept. 28. Detour posted.
Naamans Creek Road – Chadds Ford, utility installation between U.S. Route 202 and I-95, 9 a.m.-3 p.m weekdays through Nov. 13. Work began Oct. 12.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown, Aqua Pa. utility installation between Black Horse Lane and Valley Road 8 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through Nov. 30.
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.
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.

For October 18, ROAD WATCH…
Deer movement increases during the fall breeding season so motorists should drive defensively and stay alert, especially at dawn and dusk to reduce the risk of striking a deer, PennDOT warns.
Last year, there were 2,797 crashes involving deer in the state, resulting in 11 deaths and 636 injuries, compared to 2,487 crashes, eight fatalities and 598 injuries in 2007.
“Motorists also need to be aware of hunters and others walking along roadways on their way into or out of the woods,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler.
Deer pay less attention and become bolder as they move around more and travel greater distances during their breeding season. Primarily nocturnal feeders, deer are most active between sunset and sunrise.
Over the past five years, PennDOT statistics show nearly 46 percent of all reportable crashes involving a deer occurred in the months of October and November.
More than 78 percent of the total crashes the past five years involving deer occurred between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m.
By following a few safety tips, motorists and outdoor enthusiasts can help reduce the possibility of being involved in a crash with a deer.
BULLET Be on the alert for individuals entering the woods early in the morning and leaving in the late evening hours.
BULLET Make young drivers aware of increased deer movement.
BULLET Slow down and use caution, especially where deer crossing signs are posted and increase following distance between vehicles.
BULLET Exercise caution when one deer crosses a roadway. Since deer often travel in small herds, one deer will usually be followed by others.
BULLET Always wear your seat belt and never drink and drive.
BULLET Turn on your headlights if your windshield wipers are on – it’s the law.
If a dead deer presents an obvious safety hazard on state roadways, motorists can call 1-800-FIX-ROAD to have the deer removed.
PennDOT also reminds motorists they can visit 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions before heading out.
For fall driving tips and other highway safety information, visit www.DriveSafePA.org.
Barry Bridge Work
Traffic restrictions are scheduled this week on the Commodore Barry Bridge and the I-95 ramps to the bridge in Chester, including the Ninth Street ramp to the bridge, for construction. The work is part of PennDOT’s $71.1 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.
Monday-Friday, the right lane will be closed on the eastbound Barry Bridge 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for bridge railing and lighting removal.
Monday-Tuesday, there will be intermittent traffic stoppages on the Flower Street ramp between Fourth Street and Sixth Street 11 p.m.-7 a.m. for bridge beam erection.
Wednesday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., there will be intermittent traffic stoppages on Third Street between Reaney Street and Flower Street for beam erection.
Wednesday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., there will be intermittent traffic stoppages on Fourth Street between Reaney and Flower streets for beam erection.
Friday, 12:01-5 a.m., there will be intermittent traffic stoppages on eastbound and westbound Commodore Barry Bridge for beam erection.
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 will allow Route 291 drivers to reach I-95.
Brookhaven ADA Ramps
Construction will begin Monday on a $190,000 project to replace 42 ADA curb ramps in Brookhaven funded with a federal stimulus grant.
Crews will work on Brookhaven Road at South Gray Street 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
Curb ramps will be replaced at the following intersections with Brookhaven Road: North Gray Street, Chandler Drive, Mount Vernon Avenue, Burk Avenue, Barlow Avenue; and Trimble Boulevard at Bridgewater Road.
SEPTA Hybrids
On Monday, SEPTA will announce the future delivery of 40 more hybrid buses manufactured by New Flyer of America purchased with a $17.8 million federal stimulus grant.
With this addition to the present fleet of 252 hybrid buses on the road, by 2010 SEPTA will have a total of 372 hybrid buses.
SEPTA spokesman Andrew Busch said the authority has a four-year contract with New Flyer to buy 100 hybrid buses per year and also has the option to get an additional 20 vehicles during any one of those years.
“For 2009 and 2010, were are picking up the option…” he said.
The green fleet will enhance transportation while providing cleaner air to the region.
By this time next year, about 25 percent of SEPTA’s fleet will be hybrids, Busch said.
PATCO Drill
PATCO is staging an emergency drill 9-11 a.m. today at its shop and railyard in Lindenwold, N.J. The drill will simulate an intruder attempting to gain access to the PATCO equipment shop. All the activity will be related to the drill so PATCO passengers should have no cause for concern.
SEPTA Drill
SEPTA will conduct a full-scale railroad emergency simulation drill 9 a.m. today near the Jenkintown Train Station to test its Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness Plan. There will be about two dozen mock victims in the exercise at the northbound layoff siding off West Avenue near the R3 station.
The scenario for the drill replicates what might occur when a severe storm, a stranded passenger train, a diesel fueled work train and an out of control auto collide.
Traffic Delays
Upper Chichester -- Naamans Creek Road (Route 491), utility installation by the Southern Delaware County Sewer Authority, closed/detoured between Meetinghouse and Larkin roads, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 24. Work began Sept. 28. Detour posted.
Edgmont – Valley Road, closed/detoured for repairs/resurfacing between Middletown Road (Route 352) and Brick House Farm Road, through Oct. 21. Work began Sept. 30.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown, Aqua Pa. utility installation between Black Horse Lane and Valley Road 8 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through Nov. 30.
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.
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.

For Oct. 4---Road Watch
The autumn season is when motorists should be wary of wet leaves, sun glare, fog and frost that can make driving hazardous, PennDOT says.
“While it’s not the traffic volumes that come with summer or the snow and ice of winter, the fall season presents motorists with several driving challenges,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler.
Wet leaves on the roadway can be as slippery as ice. They also obscure traffic lines and other pavement markings, making driving difficult in unfamiliar areas. Motorists should use caution and slow down on leaf-covered road surfaces.
Sun glare can be problematic during sunrise and sunset which coincide with morning and evening rush hours in the fall. The intense glare from the sun on the horizon can blind a driver, causing an unexpected traffic slowdown and sudden braking.
Drivers can prepare for the glare by keeping a set of sunglasses handy, removing clutter from their sun visors and keeping the inside of their windshields clean.
Fog and sun glare can present other fall hazards for drivers. When driving in fog, motorists should use low-beam headlights since the high-beam setting creates glare and reduces visibility. Not only will headlights enhance visibility of your vehicle, state law requires headlights to be on when wipers are in use – a fact that many drivers overlook which I often note while driving.
Morning frost and icy spots on the road can also cause problems as overnight temperatures drop toward freezing. Motorists should pay particular attention to bridges, overpasses and shaded areas on roadways where icy spots can form on the pavement.
In addition to using caution while driving, motorists should clear their windows of frost before travel. Morning drivers should also watch carefully for students walking along roadways or waiting for school buses.
For more fall driving tips and other highway safety information, visit www.DriveSafePA.org.
I-95 Bridge Work/Inspections
Lane closures are scheduled 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays on I-95 North/South between the Broad Street and Enterprise interchanges in Philadelphia.
Today through Thursday, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., I-95 North/South will be restricted between Broad Street and Route 420 in Philadelphia, Tinicum and Ridley Township for work to seal pavement joints, repair bridge decks and replace expansion dams.
Also, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays, one lane will be closed on I-95 North/South between Academy Road and Woodhaven Road (Route 63) in Philadelphia for bridge repairs.
Also, today-Friday, 10 p.m.-5 a.m., one lane will be closed on I-95 North/South between Academy Road and Woodhaven Road in Philadelphia for bridge repairs.
Also, 8 p.m.-5 a.m. weeknights, lane restrictions are scheduled on I-95 between Girard and Cottman avenues in Philadelphia for milling and paving. In addition, nighttime lanes restrictions will occur 8 p.m.-5 a.m. on the I-95 ramps to Allegheny and Castor avenues and Bridge Street in Philadelphia for structural repairs.
Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day
On Oct. 10, the Delaware River Port Authority will join state and local police departments in New Jersey for “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day.” The DRPA will do its part to remind motorists to be more careful while driving.
Variable message signs with the message, “Oct. 10 Be Safe, Be Alert, Drive to Arrive,” will be in place at the Commodore Barry, Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman and Betsy Ross bridges.
Last year in New Jersey, 591 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes, a 19 percent decline from the previous year, and also marks the lowest number of recorded motor vehicle deaths in the state since 1948. If only Pennsylvania can also lay claim to this statistic.
MS 150 Bike Tour
Motorists beware: if you’re headed into New Jersey this weekend, be advised that an estimated 7,000 bicyclists are expected to take part from Saturday to today in the 29th Annual MS Bike Ride to the Shore benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Riders left early Saturday morning from the parking lot of PATCO’s Woodcrest Station in Cherry Hill and return from Ocean City today.
For the past 20 years, PATCO and the Delaware River Port Authority have hosted the start and finish of the two day ride.
Organizers hope to raise over $5 million this year.
Cyclists ride through the blueberry fields of Hammonton, South Jersey’s Pine Barrens and into Ocean City and back.
Way back when, this columnist participated in this worthwhile charitable event for five years in memory of a late brave neighbor afflicted with the terrible disease. I also remember wheelchair-bound Ruth Greene, the late mother of a friend, who also was an inspiration and bravely endured her affliction without complaining. And to think some healthy people always make it a point to complain about the weather.
Vine Expressway (I-676)
I-676 East/West (Vine Expressway) will be reduced from three lanes to only one between I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) and I-95 in Philadelphia 8 p.m.-5 a.m. weeknights for pavement marker installation and concrete joint sealing.
Motorists are urged to use an alternate route or face traffic delays from 30 to 45 minutes.
Guide Rail Repairs
Lane and shoulder closures are planned 10 p.m.-5:30 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday for barrier repairs along I-95 North and I-476 South (Blue Route) in Ridley Township.
PennDOT says crews will repair aluminum protective barriers along a highway bridge over Amtrak railroad tracks.
On I-476 South, the left lane will be closed between MacDade Boulevard and I-95.
On I-95 North, the right lane and right shoulder will be closed between I-476 (Exit 7) and Stewart Avenue (Exit 8).
Traffic Delays
Upper Chichester -- Naamans Creek Road (Route 491), utility installation by the Southern Delaware County Sewer Authority, closed/detoured between Meetinghouse and Larkin roads, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. through Nov. 24. Work began Sept. 28. Detour posted.
Edgmont – Valley Road, closed/detoured for repairs/resurfacing between Middletown Road (Route 352) and Brick House Farm Road, through Oct. 21. Work began Sept. 30.
U.S. Route 1 (Baltimore Pike) – Concord and Chester Heights, milling at Stoneybank Road 7 p.m.-5 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday.
Baltimore Pike – Middletown and Upper Providence, milling between Route 352 and State Street 7 p.m.-5 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown, Aqua Pa. utility installation between Black Horse Lane and Valley Road 8 p.m.-6 a.m. weekdays through Nov. 30.
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.
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.

ROAD WATCH, SEPT. 27(I-76 Message Boards start operating Sept. 30)
Motorists on the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) will soon know how many minutes it will take to travel between major interchanges on the expressway starting Wednesday as PennDOT begins posting travel times on 13 dynamic message signs in Philadelphia and Montgomery County.
The message signs will display I-76 travel times with eight signs located on I-76; two on the Blue Route (I-476) near the I-76 Interchange; two on Route 1/Roosevelt Extension; and one at the base of the Platt Bridge near 26th Street.
They will operate seven days a week 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Travel time information will be the default message throughout the day, but it will be replaced by a higher priority message in the event of an incident or emergency, road construction, hazardous weather condition or an AMBER alert.
The signs will display a three-line message to inform motorists of the travel time and distance to a certain interchange. The top line of the message will display the phrase “Avg. Travel Time.” Secondary lines will display the destination, for example, To I-676 EXIT, To U.S. 1 EXIT, To I-95 EXIT, To I-476 EXIT; the distance to the destination in miles and the travel time in minutes.
Minor variations may be used in situations where travel times are posted for a specific area along the main road or along an intersecting roadway or where travel times are displayed to multiple locations.
Fourteen electronic travel time readers along I-76 and four along southbound Route 1/Roosevelt Extension will calculate the travel times between key interchanges. The readers measure the time it takes for a vehicle to travel from one reader to another.
More than 100,000 motorists drive I-76 each day, PennDOT said.
Such information can help motorists to decide whether to stay on I-76 or use an alternate route, said District Executive Lester Toaso. It can also help reduce driver anxiety during times of congestion because motorists won’t have to guess how long it will take to travel from one point of the expressway to another, he said.
PennDOT recently installed travel time readers on I-76 along with closed-circuit television cameras, message signs and incident detectors as part of a $23 million Intelligent Transportation System improvement project.
In November 2008, PennDOT launched a pilot program for posting travel times on message signs in the state, starting on U.S. Routes 202, 100 and 30 in Chester County.
Ben Franklin Bridge
Between 10 a.m. and noon today, about 1,300 people will walk across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge’s south pedestrian walkway to raise money for the Fifth Annual Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer. They will end their walk at Penn’s Landing. The walk benefits the City of Hope Cancer Center.
Vehicular traffic will not be affected during this event. The north walkway will remain closed for construction.
Girard Avenue Ramp to I-95 North
The Girard Avenue ramp to I-95 North and northbound Aramingo Avenue in Philadelphia will close Monday for the start of an $8.8 million project to improve travel through the I-95/Girard Avenue Interchange, PennDOT said.
Over the next 10 months, a detour will direct eastbound Girard Avenue drivers onto Richmond Street, from where they will reach the ramp to I-95 North or access northbound Aramingo Avenue. Workers will build a temporary off-ramp from I-95 South to southbound Aramingo Avenue and realign northbound Aramingo Avenue between Delaware Avenue and York Street.
Route 202 Bridge
Construction will begin 10 p.m. Monday on a 14-month project to replace the 55-year-old bridge carrying U.S. Route 202 over SEPTA-owned railroad tracks just south of the Westtown Road Interchange in West Goshen, Chester County. The $3.7 million project is scheduled to finish in November 2010.
The bridge’s steel beams and concrete deck have deteriorated to the extent that they must be replaced.
Drivers should allow additional time to travel this stretch 10 p.m.-5 a.m. weeknights as one lane will be closed in one or both directions.
Route 491 Closing
Route 491 (Naaman’s Creek Road) between Meetinghouse and Larkin roads in Upper Chichester will be closed starting Monday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 24 for sanitary sewer repairs by the Southern Delaware County Authority.
During construction, Route 491 through traffic will be detoured over Meetinghouse Road, Chichester Avenue, Bethel Road and Larkin Road. Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
Traffic Delays
Edgmont – Valley Road, closed/detoured for repairs/resurfacing between Middletown Road (Route 352) and Brick House Farm Road, starting Wednesday, and Oct. 21.
Baltimore Pike (Route 1) – Middletown, Aqua Pa. utility installation between Black Horse Lane and Valley Road 8 p.m.-6 a.m. Wednesday through Nov. 30.
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.
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.
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.