May 2009 Archives

Crews will be sweeping Interstate 83 at night this week between the North George Street exit and the Cumberland County line, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The work is scheduled for 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., and drivers may see single-lane restrictions and shifting traffic patterns.

A section of York Road has been closed between Route 382 and Miller Road in Newberry Township so crews can replace a bridge deck. The bridge spans Bennett Run.

Other work that may result in single-lane restrictions include:

-- Old Hanover Road in Jackson Township for paving.
-- Glen Echo Road in Codorus Township for paving.
-- Ducktown Road at the intersection of Mount Pisgah on the border of Hellam and Lower Windsor townships for rock removal.
-- Cool Creek Road from Route 462 to Mount Pisgah Road in Hellam Township for base repair.
-- Mount Pisgah Road from Cool Creek to Millers Spring Road in Hellam and Lower Chanceford townships for base repair.
-- Cassel Road in Newberry Township for mowing.
-- Days Mill Road in North Codorus and York townships for mowing and brush cutting.
-- Fileys Road South between Mumper Lane and Siddonsburg Road in Carroll and Monaghan townships for mowing.
-- Main Street Extended from Route 74 in Chanceford Township to Felton for shoulder cutting.
-- Stamper Road in Chanceford Township for shoulder cutting.
-- Bentz Road between Walters Hatchery and Zeiglers Church roads for ditch cleaning.
-- Black Rock Road from Hobart Road to Dubs Church Road in West Manheim Township for pipe extension.

Yesterday was an awful commute to work in the rain.

I counted more than half a dozen vehicles on Interstate 83 that didn't have their headlights on, and visibility wasn't the greatest.

If the windshield wipers are working, drivers are required by law to turn on their vehicle headlights, too.

Police say the headlights help to make your vehicle visible to other drivers and pedestrians, and taking these measures will hopefully prevent accidents.

In one of my columns last year, police had issued nearly 100 citations for failing to comply with the law, which went into effect in January 2007.

Watch for single-lane restrictions along Route 30 this week as crews mow between the Mount Zion and Hellam exits.

The following roads are expected to be reduced to a single lane:

-- Old Hanover Road in Jackson Township for paving.
-- Bull Road between Claystone and Canal roads for paving in numerous municipalities.
-- Cool Creek Road between Route 462 and Mount Pisgah Road in Hellam Township for base repair.
-- Codorus Furnace Road in East Manchester Township for mowing.
-- Fileys Road South between Mumper Lane and Siddonsburg Road in Carroll and Monaghan townships for mowing.
-- Days Mill Road in North Codorus and York townships for brush cutting.
-- Fishing Creek Road between Route 114 and Interstate 83 in Fairview Township for crack sealing.

Drivers may want to avoid Roosevelt Avenue/Bull Road Thursday and Tuesday as crews pave the road, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The paving will be done between Claystone and Canal roads. The work will start at 8:30 a.m. and continue until about 3 p.m.

Drivers might want to use other routes, such as Greenbriar Road, to avoid lengthy travel delays.

No work will be done Friday through Monday for the Memorial Day weekend.

Stevan R. Dietz of Dover has received a 2008 Star of Excellence Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

PennDOT gave the award to 24 employees. They were honored Wednesday afternoon during a luncheon at the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg.

Dietz is the District 8 Highway Maintenance Program Manager. He is instrumental in a range of functions, such as improving efficiency to coordinating the district's Road Condition Reporting System, according to a news release.

Dietz was recognized for several accomplishments, including an agreement that was reached among parties so that they can share facilities and equipment to save taxpayer money.

He also developed the Recycled Asphalt Pavement Plans for each county in District 8, which includes York and Adams counties. That program, too, is expected to save money.

Maryland has become the 11th state to ban text messaging for all drivers, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The new law will take effect on Oct. 1, 2009, and it will be considered a primary offense. That means a police officer doesn't have to have another reason, such as speeding, for pulling the driver over.

The District of Columbia, New Jersey and Virginia (effective July 1, 2009) also ban text messaging for all drivers.

Do you think Pennsylvania should pass such a law?

All the driver license and photo centers, including the full-service one in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday and Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Customers may still obtain a variety of services by clicking here.

Gas prices keep creeping up. It's now $2.35 a gallon at some stations.

Commuter Services sent out a news release last week to remind drivers that they can take advantage of its free online ridematching services.

You can click here or call 1-866-579-RIDE to join the database.

Interstate 83 will be restricted to a single-lane so crews can cut brush this week.

Route 30 might be restricted as well as crews continue mowing between the Wrightsville and Hellam exits.

Drivers might see single-lane restrictions on the following roads:

-- West Canal Road between Biesecker Road and Route 30 in Dover and Paradise townships for paving.

-- Bull Road between Claystone and Canal roads in numerous municipalities for paving.

-- Rockville Road in Jackson Township for pipe patching.

-- Glen Echo Road in Manheim Township for base repair.

-- York Haven Road between Wissler Road in Newberry Township and the York
Haven border for base repair.

-- Herbst Road in North Hopewell Township for base repair.

-- Codorus Furnace Road in East Manchester Township for mowing.

-- Lake Road in Paradise and Jackson townships for mowing.

-- Canning House Road in Chanceford Township for shoulder cutting.

-- Stamper Road in Chanceford Township for shoulder cutting.

-- Laurel Road between Old Forge Road and Route 74 in Chanceford Township for
shoulder cutting.

Rough roads are costing drivers hundreds of dollars more a year, according to a news release.

A new report called "Rough Roads Ahead: Fix Me Now or Pay for It Later" has been issued by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and TRIP, a transportation research group.

The report analyzes data from the Federal Highway Administration and states that 33 percent of the nation's major highways are rated in poor or mediocre condition.

In Pennsylvania, the rough roads are costing state drivers up to an extra $500 a year in vehicle operating costs, according to the report.

York isn't included in the report, but Lancaster and Harrisburg are. The additional cost per motorist is $288 in Harrisburg and $384 in Lancaster. Philadelphia has the highest amount: $525.

The full report is available here.

The American Automobile Association expects that more Americans will be traveling for Memorial Day this year, thanks to lower gas prices and travel bargains.

AAA projects a 1.5 percent increase in people traveling 50 miles or more for the holiday, according to a news release.

And nearly 83 percent will be going by automobile.

Are you planning to go away for Memorial Day? Where are you heading and why?

Drivers might see single-lane restrictions on Interstate 83 this week as crews clean under the guardrails, PennDOT says.

That goes for Route 30, too, where crews will be mowing between the Hellam and
Wrightsville exits.

One road will be closed: Rockville Road in Jackson Township for pipe replacement and pipe patching.

Drivers also may see single-lane restrictions in these areas:

--- Glen Echo Road in Manheim Township for base repair.

--- Cassel Road in Newberry Township for base repair.

--- York Haven Road between Route 181 and Pines Road in Newberry Township for base repair.

--- Codorus Furnace Road in East Manchester Township for mowing.

--- Fileys Road between Siddonsburg Road and Mumper Lane in Monaghan and Carroll townships for mowing.

--- Cabin Hollow Road between Route 15 in Franklin Township and Franklintown Borough for mowing.

--- West Canal Road from Biesecker Road to Route 30 in Dover and Paradise townships for paving.

Radio listeners across the state will hear safe driving advice from high school students this month in recognition of National Youth Traffic Safety Month, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

A group of Central York High School students recently won PennDOT's "Drive Safe PA" contest with their public service announcement.

The students who created it are: Courtney Peterson, Madison McSherry, Emily Schaeffer, Natasha Stanley and Jen Mills.

You can listen to their winning entry and others from across the state on PennDOT's web site by clicking here.

Rabbittransit will not be increasing its fares in July, according to a news release.

The transit authority had planned to increase fares by 5 cents on the fixed route services and 25 cents on the express service between York and Harrisburg.

"Given the current economic climate and the successful negotiation of a new fuel contract, the board felt it necessary to forgo the impending fare increase," executive director Richard Farr said in the news release.

For more information about Rabbittransit, click here.

Telecommuting helps to reduce traffic on the roadways and vehicle pollution.

Now Commuter Services is encouraging companies to consider telecommuting for another reason: the swine flu.

"Having a telework policy and plan also is a good way for regional employers to have contingencies for the 2009 H1N1 virus (swine flu) epidemic or other disruptions, such as weather emergencies," said Brandy Heilman, program director.

The local organization can provide companies with sample policies, checklists and implementation plans to help them tailor a telecommuting system to meet their needs.

The Society for Human Resource Management reports that about 21 percent of employers allow telecommuting on a full-time basis, and even more, 35 percent, allow it on a part-time basis, the organization said in its news release.

Interested employers can contact Commuter Services at 1-866-579-RIDE.

Drivers might see some shoulders closed on Interstate 83 and Route 30 this week as crews clean.

The I-83 work -- cleaning under the guardrails -- will take place between Queen Street and Route 30, and the mowing on Route 30 is planned between the Wrightsville and Hallam exits.

Three roads will be closed for pipe replacement: Rockville Road in Jackson Township, Mount Top Road in Washington Township, and Brittany Lane in Franklin Township.

Drivers also might see single-lane restrictions on the following roads:

How many miles is it to Railroad from the square in Shrewsbury?

According to this sign on the square, it's one mile:

But if you look at this sign on the other side of the street, it's two:

Mapquest shows that it's closer to a mile between the two towns.

I noticed these signs a few years ago while sitting at a red light at the square.

I'm sure that you've seen signs that make you shake your head or laugh. If you can, grab a snapshot of one and share it.