Final public meeting scheduled for Route 15 study

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

The last public meeting on a study for the Route 15 corridor will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Northern High School Auditorium, according to a news release from the York County Planning Commission.
The meeting will consist of a presentation on the study results and development of a plan for the corridor, including:
— Potential interchange locations.
— Intersection safety improvements.
— Coordinated signal timing.
— Relocation of York Road.
— Potential road closures.
— Conversion of Route 15 to a limited access highway.
People will be able to ask questions or comment on the study after the presentation.
The study encompasses the Route 15 corridor from Carroll Drive in York County to South Ridge Road in Adams County.
The entire study is expected to be completed in October.

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Bridge at the border of northern York County to be rehabbed

Posted on August 10, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

Crews are installing a temporary traffic signal as part of a project to rehabilitate the Market Street bridge over the Yellow Breeches Creek near Messiah College in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Drivers will likely see a fully-operational signal alternating a single-lane of traffic across the bridge as crews begin to demolish the deck on the closed portion of the bridge. The entire project is expected to be completed by mid-May.
It’s one of three bridges being rehabbed under a $2.7 million contract that was awarded to J.D. Eckman Inc. of Atglen, Pa.

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Catch a free ride to Dutch Day Festival in Hanover

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

If you’re heading to the Dutch Day Festival in Hanover Saturday, you can catch a free ride with Rabbittransit and avoid the traffic troubles, according to a news release.
People can park and ride from two locations:
— Ollies’ parking lot at 1019 Baltimore Street
— Tractor Supply Company’s parking lot at 1150 Carlisle Street
Service will run every 15 minutes. Riders are encouraged to wait by the signs in the parking lots in order to board.
The last downtown departure time is 4 p.m.
The service is free to the public and is sponsored by the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call 846-RIDE or visit www.rabbittransit.org.

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12 million pounds of trash collected during spring cleanup

Posted on July 28, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

Twelve million pounds of trash was collected during the Great American Cleanup of PA, which ran from March 1 to May 31, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Here are some numbers shared by PennDOT:
186,000: Number of volunteers who participated.
19,373: Miles of roads, trails and shorelines cleaned.
4,822: Reported cleanup events statewide.
29.5: Millions of pounds of trash collected over the past three years.

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Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls to increase in January

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

The Associated Press is reporting that the Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls will be increasing next year.
Here’s what AP has reported:
Motorists on the Pennsylvania Turnpike are in store for higher tolls come January.
The turnpike commission said Wednesday that people paying with cash will see a 10 percent increase, while E-ZPass customers will pay 3 percent more.
It’ll be the first time that E-ZPass drivers will pay less than others for the same trip.
The new rates are scheduled to take effect Jan. 2.
Tolls went up 3 percent six months ago after rising 25 percent in January 2009.

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Federal law won’t help owner of electric-assist bicycle

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

Steven Hayes.jpgA few weeks ago, we ran a story about Steve Hayes, a cancer survivor, who added an electric assist motor to his bicycle. He intends to turn on the motor to get him home if his legs give out or he has trouble climbing a hill.
But under the law, his modified bike is considered to be a motorized pedalcycle, or moped, according to the state Department of Transportation. To ride it on the road, the bike needs a title and registration, a special safety inspection and insurance.
Hayes received some feedback after the story ran, including that there’s a federal law that calls for electric-assist bicycles to be regulated the same as a regular bicycle. It raised the question of whether federal law would trump state law.
The answer is no, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
States generally have the authority to adopt registration and operational requirements for any type of vehicle used on their roads and highways, regardless of whether the vehicle is or is not a motor vehicle under federal or state law, the agency said.
Hayes said he’s going to give up on the issue.
“What they’re doing is wrong,” he said Tuesday evening. “It’s not in the interest of the people.”

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Survey aimed at Carroll Valley commuters

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

A new survey is being targeted at commuters who live in and travel through Carroll Valley along Route 116 to the Gettysburg area, according to the Adams County Transit Authority.
It isn’t just for individuals who live on Route 116, but those who live in the municipalities of Fairfield, Hamiltonban, Highland and Cumberland — even as far away as Emmitsburg, Md.
Riders traveling daily between these areas are encouraged to provide feedback in the survey, which outlines topics ranging from vanpooling to bus service.
To take the Carroll Valley survey, visit www.BusSurvey.com and follow the link or click here. The survey will close Aug. 15.

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Drivers can take PennDOT’s highway safety survey

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

Drivers can participate in an online survey to share their opinion on issues ranging from seat belts to driving under the influence, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The survey is available through July 30 at www.DriveSafePA. org or click here.
The survey consists of 17 questions focused on highway safety, including seat belts, impaired driving, speeding, motorcycles and distracted driving.
All answers to the questions are anonymous. There are general demographic questions such as gender, age and zip code.
Survey results will help PennDOT prioritize its highway safety efforts by better understanding drivers’ behaviors and perspectives on factors relating to crashes and fatalities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires states to conduct this survey annually.

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Prepare for driving in hot weather

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

Temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s this weekend, and the state Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to take steps to prevent breakdowns.
Here are a few tips:
– Regularly check tire air pressure and tread wear.
– Replace wiper blades that are frayed or streaking.
– Be sure the windshield washer reservoir is filled with a summer fluid that helps remove bugs and road grime.
– Be sure that all lights are working.
– Check the pavement under the vehicle after it has been parked and report any suspicious fluid leaks to your mechanic.
For more information on traffic safety, visit www.DriveSafePA.org.

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Thursday marks Dump the Pump Day

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Teresa Boeckel

Upset about the BP oil spill?
The fifth annual national Dump the Pump Day is Thursday. People can make a statement in support of public transit and its ability to help the country reduce its reliance on oil, according to Rabbittransit.
The public transportation system is asking commuters to take the bus or try other alternative modes of transportation instead of driving to work alone. Other modes include vanpooling, carpooling, biking, walking or telecommuting.
Dump the Pump Day is a public awareness day that highlights the benefits of public transportation. Public transportation is part of the solution for the country attaining energy independence as public transit ridership saves 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually.
The day is sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association.

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