PHIA News Digest – Vol. 70
Pa. Turnpike on blizzard: We’ll get better at weather
While admitting no missteps in its storm planning, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission on Tuesday pledged to improve its weather-forecasting capacity after coming under fire for its response to a January blizzard that stranded hundreds of motorists for 24 hours.
The recommendation came in a 30-page “After Action Report” that summarized what commission officials had billed as its comprehensive, 10-week internal review of how it handled the storm.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Selects Michael Baker International to Improve I-90 Corridor in Erie County
Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, is playing a critical role in improvements to a seven-mile stretch of I-90 in Erie County, Pa., part of the longest interstate highway in the nation. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation selected the firm to develop preliminary engineering, environmental, geotechnical and final design plans for the project, which is aimed at increasing safety and efficiency for the 20,000 vehicles that use the roadway daily.
Road deaths in Pennsylvania near record low
There were 1,200 traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania in 2015, the second-lowest since record-keeping began in 1928 and five more than the record low in 2014.
“We and our safety partners continue to work on infrastructure improvements, as well as promoting the use of education, enforcement and outreach in efforts to influence driver behavior and drive down crash and fatality numbers,“ said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “We strive to meet the national vision of Zero Fatalities knowing that transportation impacts Pennsylvanians daily. We urge the motoring public to be aware of their driving behavior by observing traffic laws, paying attention and using caution.”
