Road Rant (See Video)
Courtesy of the road – what’s that? It only takes a major gusty thunderstorm that knocks out traffic lights all over the county like the one Thursday afternoon to show the lack of it.
Going home up Bishop Avenue hill at Baltimore Pike in Upper Darby, few if any vehicles traveling on the pike were willing to stop and give the motorists on Bishop a break.
In other words, when the lights are out, they should proceed as if there’s stop signs in all directions and let a few cars proceed at a time.
I noted that just before the lights went back on before lunchtime Friday, temporary stop signs on short platforms had been placed on the corners.
The intersection of Springfield Road and Norwinden Drive in Springfield was one of the rare corners I observed where the drivers were actually stopping and being courteous to other drivers. And there were no temporary stops signs posted Friday.
Township Line Road and Rolling Road was a different story. Not many drivers on Township Line Road were giving the drivers on Rolling Road a break. I guess they still thought they were on the Media Bypass.
The very busy intersection of West Chester Pike (Route 3) at Lawrence Road – not far from the Blue Route (I-476) ramps – also showed little driver courtesy Friday. The West Chester Pike motorists hardly slowed down, especially those eastbound.
During my travels through a maze of roadblocks due to downed trees and power lines, I never saw any police officer directing traffic late Friday morning and through noontime.
However, I finally saw a Haverford officer directing traffic a block east of the other West Chester Pike intersection I mentioned. I know many officers in the county were tied up with other storm-related duties, but still I think there should have been more traffic control at key intersections.
Fortunately, I didn’t see any accidents. And wasn’t one of them.
I-95 Bridge Work
Daytime and nighttime lane closures will be in effect this week on I-95 between the Girard Point Bridge and Broad Street Interchange in Philadelphia for two ongoing bridge improvement projects, PennDOT said.
Southbound traffic on the I-95/Girard Point Bridge will be reduced from three lanes to two Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 8 p.m.-5 a.m. for concrete resurfacing.
Northbound traffic will be reduced to two lanes Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
SEPTA Station
The SEPTA Board approved a resolution to allow Pattison Station to be renamed AT&T Station under a naming rights agreement that will bring in over $5 million over five years in revenue for transit operations.
AT&T is the only wireless carrier providing coverage underground along the Broad Street and Market-Frankford lines.
Barry Bridge
Monday-Thursday, 5 a.m.-3 p.m., the eastbound lane next to the right-hand eastbound lane will be closed for construction.
Franklin Bridge
The two right eastbound lanes will be closed between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday for inspection and upgrades.
Wednesday and Thursday, the two right westbound lanes will be closed during the same hours for similar work.
Blue Route Testing
Lane restrictions are scheduled on the Blue Route (I-476) in Delaware and Montgomery counties Tuesday and Wednesday for pavement testing.
Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., the right lane will be closed on I-476 North between Route 3 and Route 30 in Marple, Haverford and Radnor.
Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., the right lane will be closed on I-476 North between Route 30 and Route 23/I-76 in Radnor and Lower Merion and West Conshohocken, Montgomery County.
Route 252
Starting in early July, road crews will be milling/paving Route 252 in Newtown between White Horse Road and Gradyville Road.
Work will be done 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and must be completed within 30 days. Expect delays.
Newtown
St. Davids Road will be closed between Route 252 and Darby-Paoli Road in Newtown 6 a.m.-8 p.m. June 28 through July 4 for the AT&T National Golf Tournament.
During the tournament, St. Davids Road through traffic will be detoured over Newtown Road, Sugartown Road, Route 30 (Lancaster Avenue) and Conestoga Road.
Local access will be maintained up the Aronimink Golf Course.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major highways before heading out.
Chadds Ford
Beaver Dam Road in Chadds Ford will be closed/detoured at the Delaware state line for one more week for road repairs and resurfacing.
A posted detour will take through traffic into Delaware on Beaver Valley Road, Ramsey Road and Brandywine Creek Road. Local access will be maintained up to the construction area.
Traffic Delays
Ridley Township – Fairview Road closed, Aqua utility installation between Sherman Avenue and Emlen Street 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 24-hour detour through July 9.
Radnor – Goshen Road, road work costing $1.3 million, closed/detoured 24 hours daily between Darby-Paoli and Hunt roads for roadway reconstruction and realignment to remove a sharp curve through Aug. 21. Work began March 1. Goshen Road will be detoured over Darby-Paoli Road, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Route 3, Route 252 and Goshen Road.
Also, Radnor-Chester Road, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Lancaster Avenue and Conestoga Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 29.
Concord – Baltimore Pike, bridge replacement with lane restrictions on bridge over Chester Creek 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 2011. Work began in September 2009.
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.
Road Watch/Road Rant appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

Here are two Road Rant videos that accompanied my recent Road Watch columns. Check back regularly for future Road Rant videos.

Road Rant looks at right turn signals in Secane and Marple:



Road Rant looks at the crowded parking lot for the R3 train stop in Elwyn.:

PennDOT warns that St. Davids Road will be closed between Route 252 and Darby-Paoli Road in Newtown 6 a.m.-8 p.m. June 28 through July 4 for the AT&T National Golf Tournament.
During the tournament, St. Davids Road through traffic will be detoured over Newtown Road, Sugartown Road, Route 30 (Lancaster Avenue) and Conestoga Road.
Local access will be maintained up the Aronimink Golf Course.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major highways before heading out.
South Gulph Road
Nighttime lane restrictions are scheduled on South Gulph Road between Gypsy Lane and Crooked Lane in Upper Merion, Montgomery County, for water main inspection.
From 9 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, a travel lane will be closed on South Gulph Road between Gypsy Lane and Crooked Lane.
Westbound South Gulph Road will be closed/detoured between Crooked Lane and Henderson Road Monday through July 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for water main installation.
Motorists using westbound South Gulph Road will be detoured over Crooked Lane, Yerkes Road, Shoemaker Road and South Henderson Road.
The road will remain open to eastbound traffic.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
The work is part of PennDOT’s $10.5 million project to construct new ramps to connect I-76 West (Schuylkill Expressway) with Henderson Road and South Gulph Road in Upper Merion.
Darby Road
Haverford Hills Associates will close Darby Road between College Avenue and Ardmore Road in Haverford starting Wednesday for paving, PennDOT said.
During the work, Darby Road through traffic will be detoured over College Avenue, Haverford Road and Ardmore Road. Local access will be maintained up to the construction zone.
Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the area.
Naamans Creek Road (Route 491)
Daytime lane restrictions are scheduled on Naamans Creek Road between U. S. Route 202 and the Delaware state line in Concord, Bethel, Upper Chichester and Lower Chichester 7 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays for tree clearing and utility relocation.
PECO Energy will also restrict traffic on Route 491 between Graystone Drive and Route 202 (Concord Pike) in Concord weekdays through June 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for gas main relocation.
Chadds Ford
Beaver Dam Road in Chadds Ford will be closed/detoured at the Delaware state line for two weeks starting Monday for road repairs and resurfacing.
A posted detour will take through traffic into Delaware on Beaver Valley Road, Ramsey Road and Brandywine Creek Road. Local access will be maintained up to the construction area.
35-Mile Resurfacing
Construction is scheduled to begin Tuesday on a $6.1 million project to repair/resurface 35 miles of state highway and replace 68 curb ramps in Chester County.
Crews will start milling Route 826 (Newark Road) between Baltimore Pike to the Lancaster County line in London Grove and West Grove on Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
I-76 -- Philadelphia
The right lane will be closed on I-76 East (Schuylkill Expressway) between Montgomery Drive and Girard Avenue in Philadelphia 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for bridge inspection.
I-95 – Philadelphia
The right lane will be closed on northbound and southbound I-95 between the Walt Whitman Bridge and Washington Avenue in Philadelphia 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Monday-Thursday for sound wall installation.
Road Rant (See Video)
To turn on the right-turn signal that’s red or not to turn: that’s the question.
At the busy corner of Providence Road and Bishop Avenue in Secane, Upper Darby, there’s such a signal. But many motorists don’t wait for the right-turn signal to have a green arrow before turning right on to Bishop.
The problem with these signals is there’s ”No Turn on Red“ signs to back up such signals. What would it cost to put up such a sign?
The good feature about the latter intersection though is that there is a sign that reads ”No Turn on Red“ ”4 to 7 p.m.“ Monday-Friday when you’re on Bishop Avenue southbound at Providence Road.
In Marple at the very, very busy intersection of West Chester Pike (Route 3) and Lawrence Road – not far from the Blue Route ramps – many motorists on Lawrence Road turn right when the right-turn signal is red.
This is an accident waiting to happen especially at rush hour when traffic is heading downhill on the pike. Maybe there should be a ”No Turn on Red“ sign during the evening rush hours for the vehicles on Lawrence Road below the pike.
Police Chief Tom Murray says ”we don’t have that many accidents at that location which makes me believe it isn’t an issue.“
I’ve seen enough near accidents at that intersection -- since I live not too far from there -- to disagree.
”The law in Pennsylvania requires a ”No Turn on Red“ sign to prohibit the turn when the light is red,“ Murray said. ”Absent the sign, the motorist can make a right turn on red after stopping.“
What do you think about these ”Right Turn Signals“? Do you think they should be backed up by ”No Turn on Red“ signs or time-limit signs for turning right on red – or not?
Traffic Delays
Ridley Township – Fairview Road closed, Aqua utility installation between Sherman Avenue and Emlen Street 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 24-hour detour through July 9.
Radnor – Goshen Road, road work costing $1.3 million, closed/detoured 24 hours daily between Darby-Paoli and Hunt roads for roadway reconstruction and realignment to remove a sharp curve through Aug. 21. Work began March 1. Goshen Road will be detoured over Darby-Paoli Road, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Route 3, Route 252 and Goshen Road.
Also, Radnor-Chester Road, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Lancaster Avenue and Conestoga Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 29.
Concord – Baltimore Pike, bridge replacement with lane restrictions on bridge over Chester Creek 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 2011. Work began in September 2009.
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.
Road Watch/Road Rant appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

For June 13, Road Watch/With Road Rant Video…
The state police in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection placed 193 trash trucks out of service during a two-day enforcement effort that focused on commercial haulers.
During the operation on June 2-3, state police motor carrier enforcement personnel focused their attention on trash trucks and identifying safety defects that can lead to crashes, according to State Police Commissioner Frank Pawlowski.
“Inspections were conducted at landfills and waste transfer stations across the state,” he said.
Pawlowski said personnel inspected 892 trash trucks and weighed 676 trucks. They issued 666 citations and 1,235 written warnings.
The most common violations were inoperable rear lights and improperly adjusted brakes. Nineteen drivers were placed out of service.
Troop K, which covers Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, conducted 119 inspections. They placed 28 vehicles out of service and issued 124 citations.
SEPTA Routes 101/102 Trolleys
Construction on the final phase of the Route 101/Media and Route 102/Sharon Hill trolley lines in Delaware County will begin Monday and through Aug. 29.
Regular trolley service will resume Aug. 30.
During the construction, temporary shuttle buses will operate seven days a week substituting for regular Route 101 service between 69th Street Terminal and Media, and Route 102 service between 69th Street Terminal and Sharon Hill.
All shuttle buses will arrive and depart from South Terminal at 69th Street.
Shuttle bus stops are located at or near trolley stops marked with “Route 101 Shuttle Bus” or “Route 102 Shuttle Bus” signs. During weekday peak hours, Route 101 Express trips will operate without stops between 69th Street Terminal and State Road and Anderson Avenue, and then make all scheduled local stops.
Route 101 shuttle bus morning express trips will depart Media at 5:55, 6:15, 6:35, 6:55, 7:15, 7:35 and 7:55 a.m.
Afternoon express trips will depart 69th Street Terminal/South Terminal at 4:00, 4:20, 4:40, 5:00, 5:20 and 5:40 p.m.
Customers should consult the Route 101 or Route 102 timetable dated June 14 for specific route and schedule details and plan to add an additional 10 to 25 minutes travel time to their commute.
SEPTA’s Toughest Fixes
Behind-the-scenes work at SEPTA’s maintenance shops, subway tunnels and other areas not seen by the public was featured on National Geographic Channel’s series World’s Toughest Fixes.
The episode titled World’s Toughest Transit: Philly Mega Fix aired at 9 p.m. Thursday on the TV channel.
The program provided a surprisingly intimate and unique look at the jobs SEPTA employees do each day.
The episode focused on the hard work and dedication of thousands of SEPTA workers, whose efforts are usually unseen and unknown. For several weeks, the channel lugged its high definition cameras through the bowels of the SEPTA subway system, into the back shops and to the heights of its electrical grid to film the unseen story of how SEPTA works.
To learn more about the SEPTA employees featured in the episode and their job assignments, visit www.septa.org/megatransit.
Walt Whitman Bridge
Monday-Friday the ramp connecting the eastbound Walt Whitman Bridge with southbound Black Horse Pike will be closed between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. for strip seal removal/installation.
Lincoln Drive Bridge
Southbound Lincoln Drive motorists will need to allow more time for travel through the Gustine Lake Interchange in Philadelphia when a major traffic pattern change goes into effect June 21 for the replacement of the structurally deficient Lincoln Drive Bridge over Ridge Avenue, PennDOT reported.
Delaware Welcome Center Preview
DelDOT will hold a media preview 11 a.m. Friday of the 42,000 square foot flagship travel plaza at the Delaware Welcome Center located on I-95 between Exit 1 (Route 896) and Exit 3 (Route 23) which will service more than 250,000 travelers who drive this route daily.
The public opening is set for early July.
Road Rant (See Video)
This week’s Road Rant comes from Tim Cohen regarding the overcrowded parking situation at the SEPTA R3 Elwyn Station off Elwyn Road in Middletown.
He noticed that the new additional 90-space parking lot is filled to capacity since it was opened May 19. Work began on the new nearly $900,000 lot – funded by federal stimulus money – in mid-November.
Commuters are no longer allowed to park their vehicles on the shoulders of Elwyn Road. They now are prohibited from doing so by new dirt berms piled up alongside the road. So the overflow from the new full parking lot has nowhere else to go – except maybe another R3 station.
There are signs on poles posted indicating that violators will be ticketed and/or towed away at the vehicle owner’s expense, but for the most part it’s difficult to park up on a berm.
A visit by the Road Watcher to the scene Wednesday found four vehicles parked on the shoulder of the road just past the new lot, where no dirt berms were installed yet.
Since SEPTA is always crying poor – no thanks to upstate legislators who don’t want/use mass transit – here’s an overwhelmed station that reinforces the need for opening up the Wawa Station some day.
Blue Route Work Area
I-476 North in Plymouth Township, Montgomery County, will be reduced to two lanes Wednesday at the Ridge Pike/Norristown Interchange (Exit 18) as crews establish a work area on the off-ramp to Chemical Road (Exit 18B/Norristown) that will include a ban on right turns onto Chemical Road by trucks and other large vehicles.
The large vehicle detour is expected to be in place until mid-October as crews reconstruct the off-ramp. During reconstruction, the ramp will be narrowed at its intersection with Chemical Road, preventing large vehicles from turning right.
However, cars, pickup trucks and other small vehicles will continue to be able to turn right onto Chemical Road from the ramp.
The northbound lane closures will be in effect from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 5 a.m. Thursday to allow crews to set construction barriers for the ramp work.
Traffic Delays
Ridley Township – Fairview Road closed, Aqua utility installation between Sherman Avenue and Emlen Street 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 24-hour detour through July 9.
Radnor – Goshen Road, road work costing $1.3 million, closed/detoured 24 hours daily between Darby-Paoli and Hunt roads for roadway reconstruction and realignment to remove a sharp curve through Aug. 21. Work began March 1. Goshen Road will be detoured over Darby-Paoli Road, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Route 3, Route 252 and Goshen Road.
Also, Radnor-Chester Road, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Lancaster Avenue and Conestoga Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 29.
Concord – Baltimore Pike, bridge replacement with lane restrictions on bridge over Chester Creek 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 2011. Work began in September 2009.
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.
Road Watch/Road Rant appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

FOR ROAD WATCH COL. – June 6
(Philly Cycling Race)
Gentlemen and gentle women start pedaling. SEPTA will provide extra R6 Norristown Regional Rail service today for the 26th annual Philadelphia International Cycling Championship in Philadelphia.
Professional cyclissts will be spinning their wheels through the streets of Center City, Fairmount Park, East Falls and Manayunk.
The enhanced R6 service is the fastest, easiest way to get to the exciting event without the hassle of negotiating traffic and parking along the race route.
Norristown Line trains will run every 30 minutes beginning with Train #4207, the 7:48 a.m. departure from Elm Street-Norristown and Train #6600, the 7:20 a.m. departure from 30th Street Station, until about 8:30 p.m., offering fans improved access to the 156-mile race.
The most grueling portion of the course and popular fan gathering area – “The Wall” – is just steps away from the Manayunk Station.
There are also nearly 1,900 parking spaces in SEPTA lost along the R6 Norristown Line. All SEPTA parking lots offer free parking on weekends.
Last year, about 16,000 additional passengers used the R6 Line to the race compared to typical Sunday ridership.
Tickets offices will be open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Norristown Transportation Center Regional Rail Station, Conshohocken Station, Manayunk and East Falls stations.
Spectators are encouraged to plan ahead by purchasing an Independence Pass or round-trip ticket prior to your trip either from a ticket agent or by mail at shop.SEPTA.org.
During the bike race, SEPTA bus Routes 7, 9, 27, 32, 33, 35, 38, 43, 48, 61, 65, 124, 125, K and R will operate on local detours.
For additional information, contact SEPTA Customer Service at 215-580-7800 or visit SEPTA online at www.septa.org.
Naamans Creek Road (Route 491)
Daytime restrictions are scheduled on Naamans Creek Road (Route 491) between Route 202 and the Delaware state line in Concord, Bethel, Upper Chichester and Lower Chichester 7 a.m-3 p.m. weekdays for tree clearing and utility relocation.
PECO Energy will also restrict traffic on Naamans Creek Road between Graystone Drive and Route 202 (Concord Pike) in Concord Wednesday to June 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., for gas main relocation.
The work is being done in advance of PennDOT’s $9.8 million project to reconstruct, mill and pave Route 491 between the Delaware state line and Route 202, a distance of 5.5 miles. The program also calls for drainage, signing, pavement marking, driveway, sight distance and turn-radius improvements.
The work will be completed in two phases with separate detours.
Ben Franklin Bridge
Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., the two right lanes westbound will be closed for routine maintenance.
U.S. Route 202
Route 202 motorists will face overnight and weekend-long lane closures this week traveling between the Westtown Road and Route 3 (West Chester Pike) interchanges in Westtown and West Goshen, Chester County, for road construction, PennDOT said.
Monday-Thursday, 10 p.m.-5 a.m., Route 202 North will be reduced to one lane between Westtown Road and Route 3 for saw cutting of deteriorated concrete pavement.
From 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Sunday, June 13, Route 202 North will be reduced to one lane between Westtown Road and Route 3 for excavation of deteriorated concrete and pouring/curing of new concrete.
I-95 Philadelphia
The right lane will be closed on I-95 South at Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia 10 p.m.-5 a.m. Tuesday for overhead sign installation.
Also, Monday-Thursday, 9 p.m.-5 a.m., the right lane will be closed on I-95 in both directions between the Walt Whitman Bridge and Washington Avenue for sound wall installation.
Schuylkill Expressway
Tuesday, 9 a.m.-noon, the left shoulder will be closed on the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) off-ramp to southbound City Avenue in Philadelphia. Noon-3 p.m., the right shoulder will be closed.
Wednesday, 9-11 a.m., the right lane will be closed on I-76 West between Girard Avenue and Montgomery Driver in Philadelphia. Then the left lane will be closed 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Also, the right lane on I-76 West between Montgomery Drive and Girard Avenue will be closed 1-3 p.m.
Roosevelt Expressway (Route 1)
The Route 1 South (Roosevelt Expressway) on-ramp to I-76 West will be closed 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Wednesday-Friday.
Southbound Route 1 motorists waiting to access I-76 West will exit onto I-76 East and follow to Montgomery Drive and then exit onto Montgomery Drive and follow to the I-76 West on-ramp.
The contractor reduced the Route 1 North Twin Bridge from three lanes to two through June 25 for setting barriers and concrete installation.
In addition, possible left lane closures will occur on Route 1 South Twin Bridge 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays for the removal of the bridge sidewall.
Also, lanes closures will occur on Route 1 North/South (Roosevelt Expressway) between Ridge Avenue and Ninth Street in Philadelphia 10 p.m.-5 a.m. weekdays for guide rail installation.


Traffic Delays
Ridley Township – Fairview Road closed, Aqua utility installation between Sherman Avenue and Emlen Street 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 24-hour detour through July 9.
Radnor – Goshen Road, road work costing $1.3 million, closed/detoured 24 hours daily between Darby-Paoli and Hunt roads for roadway reconstruction and realignment to remove a sharp curve through Aug. 21. Work began March 1. Goshen Road will be detoured over Darby-Paoli Road, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Route 3, Route 252 and Goshen Road.
Also, Radnor-Chester Road, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Lancaster Avenue and Conestoga Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 29.
Concord – Baltimore Pike, bridge replacement with lane restrictions on bridge over Chester Creek 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 2011. Work began in September 2009.
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.
Road Watch/Road Rant appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.

Daytime lane restrictions are scheduled on Naamans Creek Road (Route 491) between U.S. Route 202 and the Delaware state line in Concord, Bethel, Upper Chichester and Lower Chichester Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. for tree clearing and utility relocation.
PECO Energy will also restrict traffic on Naamans Creek Road between Pyle Road and Shavertown Road in Concord from June 1 to 9, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., for gas main relocation.
The work is being done in advance of PennDOT’s $9.8 million project to reconstruct, mill and pave Route 491 between the Delaware state line and Route 202, a distance of 5.5 miles.
The project also calls for drainage, signing, pavement marking, driveway, sight distance and turn radius improvements. Roadway shoulders will also be stabilized.
The project will be completed in two phases with separate detours.
The detours are expected to take effect in spring 2011 and spring 2012, respectively.
Haverford/Upper Darby Signals
Daytime lane closures have begun on Township Line Road (Route 1) in Haverford and Upper Darby for traffic signal upgrades.
The work is part of $1.07 million project for traffic signal improvements at six intersections along Route 1 between Dermond Road and Harding Drive.
Construction is expected to finish in September 2011.
The project will improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian safety, PennDOT said.
The work includes new poles, mast arms and signal heads, new ADA-compliant ramps and pedestrian countdown timers.
The signals will be interconnected with a fiber optic closed-loop system to provide better timing and minimize traffic congestion.
Blue Route (I-476)
Lane restrictions are scheduled on the Blue Route Thursday for bridge inspections.
From 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, the right lane will be closed on I-476 North between the MacDade Boulevard and Baltimore Pike interchanges in Springfield, Ridley Township and Nether Providence. The northbound left lane will be closed 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday.
From noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the right lane will be closed on I-476 South between MacDade Boulevard and Baltimore Pike interchanges. The southbound left lane will be closed 1:30-3 p.m. Thursday.
Also, I-476 North/South in Marple and Radnor will have the left lane closed between West Chester Pike (Route 3) and U.S. Route 30 (Lancaster Avenue) interchanges 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Wednesday-Friday for mast arm foundation installation.
Also, at the same time and dates, the right lane on I-476 South will be closed between Baltimore Pike and I-95 in Ridley Township, Nether Providence and Springfield.
Driver’s License Centers
All PennDOT Driver License/Photo Centers will be closed Monday for the Memorial Day holiday.
However, motor vehicle services are available 24 hours a day online on the PennDOT Web site.
Twin Bridges
The southbound Route 1 (Roosevelt Expressway) on-ramp to I-76 West (Schuylkill Expressway) will be closed Tuesday through Friday nights 9 p.m.-5 a.m. the next morning.
Southbound Route 1 motorists wanting to access I-76 westbound will exit onto I-76 East and follow to Montgomery Drive and then exit onto Montgomery Drive and follow to the I-76 West on-ramp.
The contractor also plans to reduce the northbound Route 1 Twin Bridge from three lanes to two from June 3 through June 25 for setting barriers and concrete installation.
Heavy delays are expected.
Route 1 – Philadelphia
Lane closures will occur on Route 1 North/South (Roosevelt Expressway) between Ridge Avenue and Ninth Street in Philadelphia Tuesday-Friday from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for guide rail installation.
Traffic Delays
Ridley Township – Fairview Road closed, Aqua utility installation between Sherman Avenue and Emlen Street 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 24-hour detour through July 9.
Newtown – West Chester Pike (Route 3), Aqua installation with lane restrictions at St. Albans Avenue 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May 27.
Also, Newtown Street Road between Chapel Road and Winding Way, Aqua work 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May 27.
Radnor – Goshen Road, road work costing $1.3 million, closed/detoured 24 hours daily between Darby-Paoli and Hunt roads for roadway reconstruction and realignment to remove a sharp curve through Aug. 21. Work began March 1. Goshen Road will be detoured over Darby-Paoli Road, Bryn Mawr Avenue, Route 3, Route 252 and Goshen Road.
Also, Radnor-Chester Road, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Lancaster Avenue and Conestoga Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 29.
Concord – Baltimore Pike, bridge replacement with lane restrictions on bridge over Chester Creek 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through June 2011. Work began in September 2009.
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.
Road Watch/Road Rant appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.