PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 26
With people driving less, PennDOT puts brakes on some road and bridge projects
Pennsylvanians are driving less because of the coronavirus pandemic and that’s putting the brakes on some road construction projects.
Speed cameras in Pa: Thousands of violations in 3 months of enforcement
Nearly 30,000 violations have been issued so far to drivers who sped through active work zones, said Jennifer Kuntch, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Transportation.
Work set to begin on Northeast Philly stretch of I-95
Drivers who use I-95 through the city should be prepared for more delays. PennDOT is set to begin long-term roadwork on a busy stretch of the highway in Northeast Philadelphia.
National study puts PA among worst states in country for road deaths blamed on speeding drivers
The analysis, by researchers at CoPilot, a car-shopping app, found that in Pennsylvania, 41.9% of total traffic deaths involve speeding. Pennsylvania has the fifth highest percentage of traffic deaths that involve speeding in the U.S.
PennDOT extends exp. dates on driver licenses, ID cards, learner’s permits until July 31
As of June 23, 2020, expiration dates for driver licenses, photo ID cards and learner’s permits scheduled to expire from March 16, through July 31, have been extended until July 31, 2020.
PennDOT to begin collecting wind speed data on thruway bridge over the Susquehanna
Data collected from the monitors will be analyzed along with that from a wind tunnel study, Matt Beck, the PennDOT plans engineer at Montoursville, said. A consultant will use models in the tunnel study to determine how wind speeds affect certain vehicles, he explained.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 25
PennDOT adjusts skills tests to lessen coronavirus exposure; appointments can be made online
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation skills tests have been modified to lessen potential exposure of staff and customers to the coronavirus “while maintaining the integrity of the testing process,” according to PennDOT.
Somerset approves deal with second group to help win Route 219 support
The Somerset County Commissioners have decided to double their lobbying efforts in a bid to gain lawmakers’ support that is needed to complete the last section of Route 219.
$125.4 million upgrades on I-78 and Route 61 started after coronavirus delay
Ronald J. Young Jr., PennDOT spokesman, said Wednesday it is unclear if the two-month delay in construction will have an impact on the overall project, which is expected to be complete in 2025.
Pa. Turnpike officials defend decision to make toll road cashless, lay off nearly 500 workers
A labor union that represents toll booth workers plans to take legal action against the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission after it unanimously voted to lay off nearly 500 employees despite a contract that assured employment through January 2022, according to Teamsters International Vice President-East William Hamilton.
Invest in transportation and infrastructure for Pittsburgh region’s post-covid-19 future
As work continues in Washington, D.C., on future phases of the federal response to the pandemic, we are coming together — business and labor — to urge strong support for a robust transportation and infrastructure package.
T&I Republican slams transit’s ask for more funding
Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), a House Transportation member, took issue with a labor group leader for saying that transit agencies will need billions of dollars in additional funding to get through the coronavirus crisis.
Transit firms, agencies ramp up D.C. efforts
The transit world, including private contractors, are ramping up their efforts to get help from Washington.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 24
End in sight for years-long Route 322 Potters Mills construction project
The construction project that began nearly five years ago will have a new roadway and two new interchanges that will eliminate backups on both routes 144 and 322 and a smoother flow of traffic. The project is expected to be completed sometime this fall.
PennDOT focusing on CSVT river bridge
One month after the resuming work on the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, construction teams are working on the mile-plus-long bridge that spans the West Branch of the Susquehanna River near Winfield, preparing to complete the concrete deck this year.
Transportation workers continue push for federal COVID-19 safety regulations
House members examined Tuesday how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted transportation workers, including truck drivers, flight attendants and transit operators.
26,000 drivers have received notices for speeding through work zones
Despite the lighter traffic, PennDOT District 11 Assistant Executive for Construction Jason Zang says, “Since March, statewide 26,000 notices have gone out, about 10% of those are repeat offenders.”
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 23
PA Turnpike to lay off hundreds of toll collectors
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission said Tuesday it will lay off 500 fare collectors and other toll workers and make the cashless tolling system permanent. The turnpike switched to all-electronic tolling in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
AFL-CIO calls layoff of PA Turnpike employees during pandemic ‘an extraordinary blow’
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO blasted the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for its decision Tuesday to switch immediately and permanently to a cashless toll system and lay off about 500 toll collection and office workers who process collection receipts.
Legislation would require turnpike commission to maintain beltway projects
Legislation recently introduced in the House would require the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to construct, operate, and maintain the Southern Beltway Projects.
PennDOT centers to resume driver’s skills tests
PennDOT has announced that beginning June 2, 2020, driver’s skills test, including motorcycle skills test, will resume at reopened Driver License Centers. Customers whose driver’s skills tests were canceled due to the COVID-19 emergency will be given priority in rescheduling skills tests by contacting the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services Call Center at 717-412-5300. All other customers will be able to schedule a skills tests in the appointment system beginning June 20, 2020.
PHIA News Digest – Vol. 5, No. 22
PennDOT announces additional drivers’ license and photo centers will open Friday in yellow phase counties
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that additional drivers’ license and photo centers in counties that moved to the yellow phase of COVID-19 mitigation will reopen Friday.
PennDOT again extends expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards
The extension applies to driver’s licenses, identification cards, land earner’s permits and camera cards that were set to expire between March 16 and June 30, PennDOT announced Wednesday. Those items are now good through June 30.
Tolling agencies delaying capital projects due to decline in revenue
Mark Compton, CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, noted that his organization plans to reduce capital investments by 24% and focus what remains on maintaining its 552-mile system, not expanding it to improve performance.
