In Memoriam: Robert, “Bob”, Hetherington – Past PHIA Director
We are deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of our friend and colleague, Bob Hetherington, who died on Saturday evening, August 26, at his home in Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg. He was 95.
It would not be enough to say that Bob had a productive and successful career. He had several of them – newsman, soldier, combat correspondent, public relations practitioner, government agency spokesman and, last but not least, managing director of the PA Highway Information Association, from which he retired in 1993.
He received accolades at every turn, particularly as his career steered him toward transportation issues. He was active in several charitable endeavors, and with his late wife, Terry, raised a family of four.
For information about services and more details of his life, please read his beautifully written obituary.
Update on PennDOT and Turnpike mid-year lettings
Having crossed the halfway point of the calendar year, we wanted to provide a highway construction update. Typically, we focus on PennDOT lettings, but we thought this time we would include Turnpike projects as well.
As of June 30, PennDOT lettings totaled just over $1.6 billion, so it appears that PennDOT is well on its way to meet a projected $2.7 billion in lettings. But in addition to that, the Turnpike is expecting to spend a bit more than $903 million.
We have included a chart (click here to view) that tracks PennDOT and Turnpike lettings since 2014, the first full calendar year after passage of Act. 89. The best year since Act 89 was 2022, when PennDOT let more than $2.9 billion and the Turnpike let more than $1.3 billion.
We anticipate that even better years are ahead as the State Police subsidy from the Motor License Fund is phased out, and federal infrastructure funds are received.
We will keep you apprised as we move into the second half mark.
Philly scrambles to address bridge collapse
The tragic destruction of an I-95 bridge in a fiery crash in northeast Philadelphia early Sunday morning attracted national attention, due to the importance of I-95 as a major transportation link serving the entire U.S. Eastern Seaboard. Rebuilding will take months and include a temporary road on which traffic will flow while the permanent bridgework is completed.
The bridge was destroyed when a gasoline tanker-truck went out of control on a curve along the Cottman Avenue off-ramp. The truck fell on its side beneath the I-95 overpass, igniting the gasoline. The truck’s driver was killed in the crash.
The bridge handles an average of 160,000 vehicles per day in each direction. Because I-95 is a major freight corridor, officials are warning of potential supply-chain problems, at least until the temporary road is open for traffic. The temporary road will have three lanes in each direction, and Philadelphia-based Buckley & Co. has been hired as the contractor.
The temporary road may be opened for traffic as early as this weekend.
Governor Shapiro secured federal disaster funds the day after the crash, which will expedite the project. He said reconstruction work would proceed around the clock, seven days a week, until the project is complete. PennDOT is live-streaming the demolition and construction on its website, at this link.
Also stepping up to assist was SEPTA, which is increasing rider capacity and service on several routes. For more information about that, follow this link.
2023 Road and Bridge Safety Award Program Open for PA’s Counties
Each year the Pennsylvania Highway Information Association (PHIA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) team with various state organizations to recognize the best road safety or bridge improvement projects undertaken across the state. For the 40th straight year, the program is now open for Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. Eligible projects are those in which most or all safety improvements were completed in 2022 or 2023. The competition recognizes major, high-cost projects and any improvements that have increased public safety.
Go here for complete information including the entry brochure. The deadline is July 7, 2023.
Turnpike Commission breaks ground on next phase of Mon/Fayette Expressway
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission officials have broken ground on the next phase of the Mon/Fayette Expressway, a $214 million contract for a three-mile section from Route 51 to Coal Valley Road in Jefferson Hills.
The current expressway runs 54 miles from I-68 near Morgantown to Jefferson Hills. When completed, the $1.3 billion southern section will ultimately extend eight miles from Route 51 to Route 837 in Duquesne.
The Tribune-Review posted a two-minute video of a drone’s-eye view of the construction site. To view it, follow this link.
