HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania is the top-ranked large state – and ranks third overall – for the speed with which its Department of Transportation started and delivered projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to a Congressional committee.
The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s latest ranking of the states showed Pennsylvania climbed from No. 6 to No. 3 and is the highest ranked large state. The committee has paid close attention to how the states have managed the $27 billion in highway and bridge recovery funds allocated by the Recovery Act.
PennDOT is managing nearly four times the amount of road and bridge funding of the two states ranked higher – Maine and Wyoming – combined.
“This recognition reflects the incredibly hard work done by dedicated PennDOT employees on behalf of the people of Pennsylvania,” said Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. “From pre-planning to the execution, PennDOT and its partners in the local planning regions and contractors across the state have worked diligently to inject these dollars into the economy as quickly as possible.”
Pennsylvania was allocated $1.026 billion in federal Recovery funds for its state highway and bridge system. All contract bids for 326 projects have been opened.
So far, PennDOT has completed 92 Recovery-funded projects worth $125 million.
More Recovery-funded work will begin as warmer weather returns, putting thousands of people to work across the state. During the peak construction months in 2009, contractors and consultants reported employing more than 5,000 people per month on work funded by the Recovery Act.
DUNMORE – If you’re planning to drink this St. Patrick’s Day, PennDOT asks you to designate a sober driver in advance. Impaired driving is one of America’s deadliest problems.
PennDOT invests about $2.8 million annually into DUI enforcement, which includes funding for approximately 400 local police departments and Pennsylvania State Police.
Penalties for infractions such as trying to purchase alcohol with a fake ID, and consuming or transporting alcohol while underage, may include a fine of up to $300, up to 90 days in jail and a 90-day license suspension for a first offense. Adults who are cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor face steeper penalties including up to a $2,500 fine and up to a year in jail.
If you plan on using alcohol to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, law enforcement officials and PennDOT offer these tips:
Make a promise to your family, friends and coworkers and most importantly to yourself to NEVER drive after you have been drinking. Keep this promise!
Designate one person in your group who will not drink any alcohol and will drive everyone home. Make sure you do this BEFORE the group starts to drink so the driver can remain completely sober.
Don’t let a friend drive if they’ve been drinking. Call a taxi or get a nondrinking friend to do the driving. Ask others to help you stop your friend from driving.
Be a responsible party host. If you are hosting a party, be sure to have plenty of food and nonalcoholic drinks available, plan a variety of activities to keep the focus off drinking, watch your guests for signs of intoxication, and never let a guest drive if he or she has been drinking.
Remember, impairment begins with the first drink!
Wear your seatbelt! Your seatbelt is your best defense against drunk drivers. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up.
The county will someday be moving into this Milford property, currently occupied by PennDOT. (Photo by Jim Davis)
By Josh Wengler
BLOOMING GROVE – A land swap project that has been years in the making is creeping towards the finish line.
At the heart of the issue is 14.1 acres of the Pike County Complex on Route 739 that the county government wants to swap for a 3.5 acre Milford parcel owned by PennDOT.
At their March 3 weekly meeting, the county commissioners approved the third amendment to their agreement with the state agency, their first motion on the project this year. If all goes as planned, PennDOT says it may begin development to transform the Blooming Grove property into their new Pike County headquarters before the year is out.
“Obviously,” said Commissioner Chairman Rich Caridi, who also sits on the Blooming Grove Township Planning Commission, “as the county has grown over the years, so has the county government. We just don’t have adequate space for our offices. We’re making do, but this parcel in Milford Borough will make things a lot easier.”
Caridi has been plugged into the issue since its inception, and says the swap is a good one because although the land they are receiving in return for their parcel is considerably smaller, it will ultimately go a long way toward easing the shortage of office space in the county government. He says the appraisal values of the two properties are roughly similar, and that one of the basic parts of the land swap deal is the stipulation that the county not be required to lay out any cash for the transfer.
“We have a severe shortage of office space for county agencies,” Caridi went on, “Having a 3.5 acre piece of land in Milford Borough will be advantageous to us, and the 14 acres in Blooming Grove will be a great advantage to PennDOT. It’s mutually beneficial.
In August of 2008, the commissioners entered into an agreement in which they will lease the Bennett Avenue parcel in Milford back to the state while they get their new facility built, but after that, Caridi says the commissioners want to get busy building their new offices as soon as possible, though it’s just too early to predict when that will be.
The proposed development for the Blooming Grove site includes a 33,000 square foot garage/office that will serve as PennDOT’s new Pike County Headquarters, as well as a salt storage building and storage areas for pipe, aggregates and other highway maintenance materials. PennDOT facilities manager Steve Shields says the consultants’ design for the proposed building and site development is essentially complete, but they are currently working with Blooming Grove Twp. to finalize the land use and subdivision approvals. They have also recently filed for a second six months’ extension while the final details of the swap continue to be hammered out.
“Discussions with the county regarding the final details of the transfer are ongoing,” said PennDOT Press Secretary Karen Dussinger. “Pending local government approvals, we could go to bid as early as spring/summer 2010. Estimated construction time would be about 1 year.”
HARRISBURG – Due to recent weather-related school cancelations, PennDOT has extended until March 12 the deadline for high school students to submit entries for its “Drive Safe PA” radio contest.
The contest invites high school students to create a 30-second radio public service announcement, or PSA, to remind drivers about the importance of highway safety.
High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are invited to create a PSA focused on aggressive driving, buckling up or driving under the influence. The PSA must include the phrase “Drive Safe PA,” which PennDOT introduced last year as part of its continued commitment to highway safety.
One finalist will be chosen from each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts. The winning students will be invited to Harrisburg to have the PSA professionally recorded and then distributed to radio stations in their respective areas. Winning students from each PennDOT district will receive certificates and copies of the finished PSA.
Students can submit a completed audio PSA or written script which can be sent via e-mail to RA-penndotpress@state.pa.us or mailed to PennDOT Press Office, c/o Erin Waters, 8th Floor-Keystone Building, 400 North St., Harrisburg, PA, 17120. Entries must be received or postmarked by March 12.
DINGMANS FERRY —At the February 16 meeting of the Dingman Township Supervisors Supervisors Chairman Tom Mincer made a motion to file a grant application with the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (DRJTBC).
The township will be seeking $75,000 in grant money for construction of a parking area and trails on a 316-acre section of land donated to both Dingman Township and Milford Township by Charles Bridge in 2007.
The site is at the juncture US Route 6 and Sawkill Road. Of the 316 acres, 72 are in Dingman Township and 244 are in Milford Township.
Pike County Commissioner Harry Forbes sent a letter asking the township if there are any issues they need to lobby for in Harrisburg and Washington.
“We need more PennDOT money,” Mincer said in response to the letter. Township Secretary Karen Kleist waned to know if Mincer meant money for PennDOT in general and Mincer said, ”We need more money for Penn DOT in Pike County.”
Mincer also stated the township needs money to repair two bridges on Log Tavern Road. The two bridges cross Dwarfskill Creek and Springbrook Creek.
Supervisor Vice Chair Dennis Brink told Mincer that one of the bridges is already under contract. “As long as they’re doing one they ought to fix the other at the same time since the weight limits are the same,” said Brink.
Dingman Township Fire Chief Bill Mikulak had nothing to report on Emergency Services for the month of January, but told the supervisors he’ll be out of town for a few days to look at a new piece of equipment in Nebraska. The ladder truck which he’ll be checking out is $200,000 lower in cost than the one they have been looking at.
Sewage Enforcement Officer Chris Wood told the supervisors the new single stream recycling bins are being picked up on a timely schedule and all is going well with the new county program.
Wood also reported on some computer trouble. “We’re having trouble with our new computer and I had to reload the programs four times, some of which had to be downloaded from state internet sites,” said Wood. He noted that he was glad that at least this was happening in the slower months of the winter rather than in the spring or summer when he is very busy. Wood also stated he will be going to the Watershed Protection Advisory Committee for a February 24 meeting at the Pike County Conservation District.
Shortly afterwards the meeting was adjourned and the supervisors went into executive session to discuss pending litigation.
Palmyra Supervisors say areas of Rt. 390 like the one above pose a mortal threat to anyone using the road, especially in inclement weather.
By Josh Wengler
PAUPACK – The Palmyra Township Board of Supervisors say they will once again try to push PennDOT to move repaving Rt. 390 up on their agenda, while there is still a Rt. 390 to pave.
Discussing the issue at their bi-weekly meeting Tuesday, Chairman Tom Simons, who also represents the Township on the Pike County Road Task Force, says as he has for at least 5 years, he will bring the issue up before the task force, but without some added pressure, the project will be passed by for another year.
“If we could have gotten some of the stimulus money used to put up bridges and signs, we could have paid for rebuilding two roads,” Simons said, opening the discussion at the meeting.
The supervisors were unanimous in their appraisal of the road’s decay, with Eric Ehrhardt relating an anecdote about the time he found two mallard ducks swimming on the white line at the side of the neglected road, which in some places is so badly damaged that whole strips of asphalt are missing.
“The Township has received a lot of complaints from residents living on the road,” Secretary Jo-Ann Rose explained. “We’ve gone to PennDOT repeatedly over the past 5 years at least, but the money just never seems to be there.” Rose said she and Zoning Officer Rolin Edward took pictures of the deterioration last July and sent them with their most recent request, but though much has been spent in other areas of the County, none has found its way to 390.
“It’s even worse now that they’ve put those rumble strips in.” Rose continued. “Now it has deteriorated to the point where there’s no shoulder left at all. At some places, it’s so low the water comes right over the road. The worst part is that there are a lot of bicycles and people walking along the side, and a lot of school traffic. It’s an incredible hazard. With all the cars swerving to avoid potholes and pedestrians, it’s just a matter of time before someone gets killed. It really is a crime.”
Following further discussion and anecdotes about the safety of the road, the Supervisors agreed to once again send a letter and pictures of the road to PennDOT, as well as the county commissioners, Senator Lisa Baker and Congressman Mike Peifer, in the hopes that their plea will not go unanswered yet again.
“This road is a gateway to I-84,” Simons concluded. “Conditions on that road are just deplorable. Every time I go to a (task force) meeting, all I hear about is Route 2001, or 739 or 434, but if we don’t get this done this year, there won’t be a 390 anymore.”
HARRISBURG – Drivers can now go online to check the availability of personalized license plates before submitting an application to PennDOT.
To check availability, visit www.dmv.state.pa.us, select the “Online Driver and Vehicle Services” link on the left-hand navigation bar. Then, choose “Personalized Vanity Plate Availability.”
Individuals may apply for a personalized license plate by completing Form MV-904, “Application for Special Registration Plate.” There is a one-time application fee of $20.
There are approximately 276,000 personalized plates in use across Pennsylvania.
PennDOT’s online driver and vehicle services are always available and include driver’s license and photo ID renewals; vehicle registration renewal; driver-history services; change of address; and exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
PennDOT has announced that the Route 2006 bridge over Dwarfkill Creek has been down-posted to one truck at a time with a weight limit of 24 ton or 35 tons for combinations.
HARRISBURG – The public is invited to comment on the Pennsylvania Intercity Passenger and Freight Rail Plan, which provides guidance for investing in future rail needs and potential ways to enhance passenger and freight rail development in the state, supporting economic growth and environmental sustainability.
“Passenger and freight rail are important infrastructure components in Pennsylvania and demand is growing for each of them,” PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. said. “This plan will help us inventory our current infrastructure, future needs and facilitate cooperation between the two modes through future federal and state rail investments.”
The final plan will serve as a planning document for federal and state rail investments within the commonwealth; create the base document for additional analyses of goods movement in other modes; and fulfill the requirements of the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008, State Rail Plans and the Pennsylvania Rail Freight Preservation and Improvement Act Comprehensive Rail Freight Study.
To view the draft plan, visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on “Aviation & Rail Freight.” Comment can be provided through Jan. 15, 2010 via online submission form or by mail to: Jennie A. Granger, AECOM Transportation, 2040 Linglestown Road, Suite 300, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
“Public feedback on this rail plan allows us to hear concerns and input, which is a vital step in the transportation planning process,” Biehler said. “Also, the public can learn about where we are and what the future of passenger and goods movement in Pennsylvania could hold.”
PennDOT developed this draft plan through a substantial partnership with public and private sector stakeholders, including carriers, shippers, developers, labor, private entities, and public agencies.
DUNMORE –PennDOT District 4-0 would like to share its policy regarding placement of mailboxes along our roadways as well as those struck by snowplows.
The location of one’s mailboxalong the roadway can affect the efficiency of both mail service and snow-plowing operations. PennDOT urges homeowners to take time to really notice where the mailbox is located. If it is not accessible to the postal service carrier due to snow buildup, or if it is not properly located along the road, you may have to pick up your mail at the post office.
PennDOT allows property owners to place mailboxes within the state’s legal right-of-way, out of respect for the U.S. Postal Service’s need to deliver and also for the convenience of mail customers. However, mailbox damage is the responsibility of the property owner.
Normally, if a mailbox is placed as far from the shoulder of the road as the carrier can reach from a vehicle, and the mailbox rests on a firm support, the mailbox should be able to withstand the force of snow from the plowing operation.
Be sure your mailbox has a strong support. Use reflective tapeor other material to make the mailbox easier to see during storms or during dark hours.
Plowing operations can push snow against or in front of mailboxes, limiting access and possibly causing damage to supports. If the mailbox support is within the highway right-of-way, it is the owner’s responsibility to check the mailbox and support often, clear snow from it and deposit the snow properly. Never shovel snow onto the road.
Homeowners who have followed these tips and still experience mailbox damage may wish to consider installing a cantilevered mailbox support that will swing a mailbox out of harm’s way.A diagram for this is available on the PennDOT Web site, www.neparoads.com. Follow the link under the blue snowflake button.
If you have questions as to the proper location of your mailbox along the roadway, contact your local post office.
PennDOT appreciates this opportunity to explain our policy and hopefully minimize the chances of such occurrences in all communities we service.
For more information, visit www.neparoads.com and look for the blue snowflake button.
