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Slow down in work zones; respect workers
For April 18, ROAD WATCH/RANT…
(Work Zone Awareness Week)
Work Zone Awareness Week is observed this week along with the emphasis on the need for motorists to drive safely through road construction zones, PennDOT said.
Pennsylvania is gearing up for a big construction season with numerous highway work zones, and motorists are urged to stay alert for rapidly changing traffic conditions.
According to PennDOT, work zone crashes and worker fatalities increased in 2009 from 2008.
There were 1,513 crashes in which four workers and 19 motorists died last year, compared to 1,417 crashes and two fatalities in 2008.
The most common factors include speeding and tailgating, which fall under the category of aggressive driving.
PennDOT combats aggressive driving by channeling grant funds to police for enforcement.
The above deaths highlight “…the sudden tragedy that can occur when motorists fail to slow down and stay alert for rapidly changing traffic conditions,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler.
“The men and women who are dedicated to improving our roads and bridges should not have to risk life and limb simply because motorists are distracted or in a hurry,” he said.
A traveling memorial will be on display in Harrisburg from Tuesday through Friday, with 78 posts topped by hard hats and draped in safety vests that represent each PennDOT employee who died in the line of duty since 1970.
To reduce the risk of work zone crashes, motorists must follow the posted speed limit and pay close attention to signs and flaggers. If signs instruct you to do so, drivers are required to turn on their headlights. Finally, motorists should avoid tailgating and use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly.
“Although these tips may seem like common sense, highway workers continue to see speeding and distracted drivers passing through work zones, often just a few feet away,” Biehler said.
Motorists caught driving 11 mph or more, above the posted speed limit in an active work zone or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed, automatically lose their license for 15 days.
Nearly 500 motorists had their license suspended for work zone violations last year.
In addition, fines for certain traffic violations, including speeding and driving under the influence are doubled when they occur in active work zones.
Road Rant of the Week
This week’s Road Rant from Ed Karpyn of the Folsom section of Ridley Township focuses on the busy, hazardous intersection of MacDade Boulevard and Fairview Road in the township. (Make sure you see the video.)
His major complaint is that either going east or west on MacDade Boulevard and making a left turn on to Fairview Road is often dangerous because when there are cars in the turn lanes “there is no way to see cars coming until the last second and more times than not, an accident usually occurs.”
Karpyn wants the elimination of the green light signal for a left turn if you yield and says only the left-turn green arrow signal should remain – otherwise you can’t turn left.
He says this should be done “before someone gets killed.
“The intersection of Fairview Road and MacDade Boulevard scares me daily for the simple fact that it is legal to turn on green after the (green) arrow times out,” he says.
He points out that further along MacDade at Morton Avenue there is a left turn on the green arrow only signal “even though you can see clearly up and down MacDade and a thousand times more clear than MacDade and Fairview.”
Many major intersections in the county only allow a left turn on the green arrow signal. Once that arrow turns off, you have to wait until the arrow lights up again.
It’s an interesting point that Ed brings up. And I’m sure there are many intersections in need of a left-turn green arrow like when you are westbound on Baltimore Pike at Oak Lane and have to wait for traffic coming in the opposite direction over the hill at Burlington County factory.
Responding to our video at the Media Bypass/Route 1 ramps on and off at Providence Road (Route 252), Jurij Burka says PennDOT has received his complaint a couple of years ago with “no action.” He said, “two years ago I was hit by a driver on the cell phone who was very eager to pass on the right side to get ahead of four vehicles making a left turn.”
Burka is “sick and tired of seeing signs ‘Beware of Aggressive Drivers.’” The signs should say, “Aggressive Drivers Will Not Be Tolerated.” I’ll second that motion. I think instead, short and simple, they should say, “Aggressive Drivers, Beware.”
The stretch of Baltimore Pike (Route 1) between Valleybrook Road (Route 261) and Pennell Road (Route 452 in Middletown is the major gripe of Tony Ieradi.
“It gets so bad, that people turn on Valley Road (near the Wawa Dairy) and travel through “million-dollar row” to try and get some relief, Ieradi says.
“There are so many cars traveling the back roads you’d think they were giving away money,” he said. “And if we think it’s bad now, wait till the developers of the Franklin Mint (property) try and sue Middletown for a zoning change so they can build their new CITY. They promise over 1,000 new residential homes and have promised no road improvements on Route 1. Cant’ wait…let the party begin!!”
Keep your Road Rants coming, folks, but don’t road rage like that guy who allegedly shot at a woman recently on hectic Route 422.
DVRPC Grants
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission recently announced the following Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation and Community Development Initiative Grants.
Marcus Hook will receive $50,000 for its Transit Revitalization Investment District. The borough will undertake several tasks to complete the TRID three-phase process. The borough will continue with outreach to stakeholders, DVRPC said.
Millbourne will also receive $50,000 for its Station Area TOD Planning. These funds will provide the borough money to create a TOD plan highlighting bicycle and pedestrian links, an official map and market research to create an overlay zone near the train station.
New SEPTA trains
SEPTA displayed two new Silverliner V trains at Suburban Station last week.
The remainder of the growing fleet of cars is being assembled at the Hyundai Rotem plant in South Philadelphia. Up to 200 mechanics, electricians and supervisors will work on turning the shells into state-of-the-art Regional Rail cars.
Each 85-foot-long car will seat up to 109 passengers and upgrade the Regional Rail fleet. The first Silverliner Vs are expected to be placed in service later this year.
The new trains will feature larger windows, wider aisles, an enhanced seating arrangement and the latest in climate control technology. They fully comply with Americans with Disabilities requirements and Federal Railroad Administration passenger car strength and safety requirements.
Traffic Delays
Chester Heights – Stoneybank Road, road widening with restrictions between Baltimore Pike and Great Oak Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 30.
Radnor — Goshen Road, road work costing $1.3 million, closed/detoured 24 hours daily between Darby-Paoli Road and Hunt Road 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.
Radnor — 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 September 2009.
U.S. Route 1 (Baltimore Pike) — Middletown and Chester Township, bridge replacement between Darlington and Station roads, 24-hour restrictions through June 2011; work began October 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 appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.
(Work Zone Awareness Week)
Work Zone Awareness Week is observed this week along with the emphasis on the need for motorists to drive safely through road construction zones, PennDOT said.
Pennsylvania is gearing up for a big construction season with numerous highway work zones, and motorists are urged to stay alert for rapidly changing traffic conditions.
According to PennDOT, work zone crashes and worker fatalities increased in 2009 from 2008.
There were 1,513 crashes in which four workers and 19 motorists died last year, compared to 1,417 crashes and two fatalities in 2008.
The most common factors include speeding and tailgating, which fall under the category of aggressive driving.
PennDOT combats aggressive driving by channeling grant funds to police for enforcement.
The above deaths highlight “…the sudden tragedy that can occur when motorists fail to slow down and stay alert for rapidly changing traffic conditions,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler.
“The men and women who are dedicated to improving our roads and bridges should not have to risk life and limb simply because motorists are distracted or in a hurry,” he said.
A traveling memorial will be on display in Harrisburg from Tuesday through Friday, with 78 posts topped by hard hats and draped in safety vests that represent each PennDOT employee who died in the line of duty since 1970.
To reduce the risk of work zone crashes, motorists must follow the posted speed limit and pay close attention to signs and flaggers. If signs instruct you to do so, drivers are required to turn on their headlights. Finally, motorists should avoid tailgating and use four-way flashers when stopped or traveling slowly.
“Although these tips may seem like common sense, highway workers continue to see speeding and distracted drivers passing through work zones, often just a few feet away,” Biehler said.
Motorists caught driving 11 mph or more, above the posted speed limit in an active work zone or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed, automatically lose their license for 15 days.
Nearly 500 motorists had their license suspended for work zone violations last year.
In addition, fines for certain traffic violations, including speeding and driving under the influence are doubled when they occur in active work zones.
Road Rant of the Week
This week’s Road Rant from Ed Karpyn of the Folsom section of Ridley Township focuses on the busy, hazardous intersection of MacDade Boulevard and Fairview Road in the township. (Make sure you see the video.)
His major complaint is that either going east or west on MacDade Boulevard and making a left turn on to Fairview Road is often dangerous because when there are cars in the turn lanes “there is no way to see cars coming until the last second and more times than not, an accident usually occurs.”
Karpyn wants the elimination of the green light signal for a left turn if you yield and says only the left-turn green arrow signal should remain – otherwise you can’t turn left.
He says this should be done “before someone gets killed.
“The intersection of Fairview Road and MacDade Boulevard scares me daily for the simple fact that it is legal to turn on green after the (green) arrow times out,” he says.
He points out that further along MacDade at Morton Avenue there is a left turn on the green arrow only signal “even though you can see clearly up and down MacDade and a thousand times more clear than MacDade and Fairview.”
Many major intersections in the county only allow a left turn on the green arrow signal. Once that arrow turns off, you have to wait until the arrow lights up again.
It’s an interesting point that Ed brings up. And I’m sure there are many intersections in need of a left-turn green arrow like when you are westbound on Baltimore Pike at Oak Lane and have to wait for traffic coming in the opposite direction over the hill at Burlington County factory.
Responding to our video at the Media Bypass/Route 1 ramps on and off at Providence Road (Route 252), Jurij Burka says PennDOT has received his complaint a couple of years ago with “no action.” He said, “two years ago I was hit by a driver on the cell phone who was very eager to pass on the right side to get ahead of four vehicles making a left turn.”
Burka is “sick and tired of seeing signs ‘Beware of Aggressive Drivers.’” The signs should say, “Aggressive Drivers Will Not Be Tolerated.” I’ll second that motion. I think instead, short and simple, they should say, “Aggressive Drivers, Beware.”
The stretch of Baltimore Pike (Route 1) between Valleybrook Road (Route 261) and Pennell Road (Route 452 in Middletown is the major gripe of Tony Ieradi.
“It gets so bad, that people turn on Valley Road (near the Wawa Dairy) and travel through “million-dollar row” to try and get some relief, Ieradi says.
“There are so many cars traveling the back roads you’d think they were giving away money,” he said. “And if we think it’s bad now, wait till the developers of the Franklin Mint (property) try and sue Middletown for a zoning change so they can build their new CITY. They promise over 1,000 new residential homes and have promised no road improvements on Route 1. Cant’ wait…let the party begin!!”
Keep your Road Rants coming, folks, but don’t road rage like that guy who allegedly shot at a woman recently on hectic Route 422.
DVRPC Grants
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission recently announced the following Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation and Community Development Initiative Grants.
Marcus Hook will receive $50,000 for its Transit Revitalization Investment District. The borough will undertake several tasks to complete the TRID three-phase process. The borough will continue with outreach to stakeholders, DVRPC said.
Millbourne will also receive $50,000 for its Station Area TOD Planning. These funds will provide the borough money to create a TOD plan highlighting bicycle and pedestrian links, an official map and market research to create an overlay zone near the train station.
New SEPTA trains
SEPTA displayed two new Silverliner V trains at Suburban Station last week.
The remainder of the growing fleet of cars is being assembled at the Hyundai Rotem plant in South Philadelphia. Up to 200 mechanics, electricians and supervisors will work on turning the shells into state-of-the-art Regional Rail cars.
Each 85-foot-long car will seat up to 109 passengers and upgrade the Regional Rail fleet. The first Silverliner Vs are expected to be placed in service later this year.
The new trains will feature larger windows, wider aisles, an enhanced seating arrangement and the latest in climate control technology. They fully comply with Americans with Disabilities requirements and Federal Railroad Administration passenger car strength and safety requirements.
Traffic Delays
Chester Heights – Stoneybank Road, road widening with restrictions between Baltimore Pike and Great Oak Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 30.
Radnor — Goshen Road, road work costing $1.3 million, closed/detoured 24 hours daily between Darby-Paoli Road and Hunt Road 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.
Radnor — 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 September 2009.
U.S. Route 1 (Baltimore Pike) — Middletown and Chester Township, bridge replacement between Darlington and Station roads, 24-hour restrictions through June 2011; work began October 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 appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.
posted by John Roman at
2:22 PM
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