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January 29, 2010

Senator John Pippy E-News
Time to Be Counted

In a matter of weeks, households across the country will be receiving one of the most important requests to be received this decade – Be Counted as part of the 2010 Decennial Census.  The U.S. Census Bureau will soon be mailing out the easiest and shortest Census questionnaires ever.   

The U.S. Census Bureau is reminding everyone their being counted will affect the locations for roads, public transportation, retail stores, schools, hospitals, senior centers, new housing developments, and other community facilities.  More than $400 billion is allocated to states and communities each year based, in part, on census data. 

Updated Census data allows for local emergency service providers to receive up-to-date maps that in turn ensure faster response in the event of a local crisis.  Census information is also used to determine boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts.   

Punxsutawney Phil Pops Up On Social Networking Sites 

February 2, 2010 will be a Groundhog Day like no other, according to the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, as Punxsutawney Phil pops up on social networking sites.  While already a YouTube sensation, Punxsutawney Phil now has his own Facebook page, is sharing photos on Flickr and will be Tweeting his world famous weather forecast for Spring 2010.  

Punxsutawney Phil represents the evolution of a story that is believed to have originated long before modern technology with the Romans and was passed along to the Germans.  Pennsylvania’s earliest German settlers appear to have continued a similar tradition substituting a groundhog for a hedgehog and reestablishing the prognosticating ritual in Jefferson County, PA.    

Phil’s evolution for the new decade finds him beckoning cyber visitors to witness his forecast along with the thousands packing Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney and millions around the globe catching the event on television and radio.   

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, under the state Department of Community and Economic Development, is dedicated to inspiring travel to the State of Independence.  For more information, go to visitPA.com or call (800) VISIT PA.

Award Winning PA Wineries Emerge 

The competition was tough but they took home the gold, silver, and bronze reflecting their hard work and commitment.  From selecting the grapes through fermentation to bottling a finished wine then submitting the product for consideration during the 2010 PA Farm Show, 46 PA wineries put their reputations on the line entering a record number 328 wines for consideration.  

Top award-winning wineries hail from six counties located in both the eastern and western regions of the state.  The seven “Best of” designations include:

• Best of Show and Governor’s Cup: 2008 Gewurztraminer, Briar Valley Vineyards & Winery, Imlertown, Bedford County
• Best Vinifera: 2008 Gewurztraminer, Briar Valley Vineyards & Winery
• Best of Show Fruit division: 2009 Raspberry Wine, Cherry Valley Vineyard, Saylorsburg, Monroe County
• Best Hybrid: 2008 Vignoles, Presque Isle Wine Cellars, North East, Erie County
• Best American: NV Big Bend Blush, Allegheny Cellars Winery, Sheffield, Warren County
• Best Sparkling: NV Blanc de Blanc, Pinnacle Ridge Winery, Kutztown, Berks County
• Best Dessert: 2008 Late Harvest Vidal Blanc, Greendance Winery, Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County

Many of these wineries will go on to compete in regional and national contests.  Visit these and other Pennsylvania wineries located around the state utilizing the VisitPA Wine Road Trips planning tool.  A three-day suggested schedule is intended to help you customize your  road trip to meet your interests. 

PENNDOT NEWS AND TRAFFIC ALERTS

PennDOT Maintenance Schedule for February 1-5
37th Senate District and Major Area Roadways 

Pittsburgh, PA – In an effort to provide the public with additional information on highway maintenance activities and to improve work zone safety for both motorists and highway workers, PennDOT District 11 is announcing weekly maintenance schedules for the week of Feb. 1-5.                                                                                                          

All activities are weather permitting. Motorists are urged to call 1-800 FIX ROAD to report roadway concerns on state routes and interstates. Litter and debris removal, winter maintenance, and pothole patching will occur in various areas as needed.                                                                              

37th Senate District and Major Area Roadway Maintenance Schedule

PennDOT advises motorists to use caution, slow down and anticipate changing traffic patterns, lane closures and possible delays when traveling through the area.  Work zone safety is everyone’s responsibility. PennDOT also reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling. 

PennDOT Completes Improvement at I-279 Merge Point with I-79 

Pittsburgh – PennDOT District 11 is announcing work to improve the merge point of northbound I-279 (Parkway North) with northbound I-79 in the Borough of Franklin Park, Allegheny County, has been completed, eliminating a bottle neck and reducing congestion for commuters.  

Although some additional work remains on the Parkway North and I-79, work to improve the merge point by allowing two northbound lanes on I-279 to continue onto I-79 is finished. Prior to this improvement, traffic on northbound I-279 was forced to narrow into a single lane before merging with I-279, creating congestion and traffic delays during peak periods.  

“This is a great improvement for motorists who use the Parkway North, especially during the evening peak period,” District Executive Dan Cessna, P.E. said. “By constantly reviewing our transport network using smart transportation philosophies, we have been able to identify simple solutions to traffic problems. We were able to include this work in the overall Parkway North project and it just made sense.”        

The $17.4 million 2009 Phase II project includes concrete pavement patching and bituminous overlay (resurfacing), drainage and guide rail upgrades, paved shoulders, washout and slide repair, and other improvements on about 6.07 miles of the Parkway North. The project also includes deck joint, concrete substructure and concrete deck repairs on 10 bridge structures. Visit www.penndot11.com for more information on the project.  

PennDOT reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling.   

Get on the PennDOT traffic restriction notification list for the Parkway North by sending your email address to jstruzzi@state.pa.us. Type “Parkway North - Subscribe” in the subject line. 

Click here for Google Map of General Area

PennDOT Reminds Motorists to Call 1-800 FIX ROAD to Report Potholes 

PennDOT District 11 wants to remind motorists that potholes and other roadway concerns on state roads can be reported to the department by calling 1-800 FIX ROAD.  

With the frigid temperatures and consistent precipitation that has occurred around the region in recent weeks, potholes are forming more rapidly than usual on many area roadways.  

Potholes develop when water seeps below the road through small cracks in the pavement surface. As the water repeatedly freezes and thaws, a cavity below the road is formed and larger cracks develop, which destroy the strength of the pavement. 

Callers to the Maintenance First Hotline are asked to be as specific as possible when providing pothole locations or other maintenance concerns. For state routes, callers must report the county, municipality, street name and route number, or the state route (SR) number that can be found on small black‑and‑white signs posted along state roadways. Callers should also provide a description of any familiar landmarks that will help PennDOT locate the problem area. 

The 1-800-FIX-ROAD number should not be used to report traffic accidents, disabled vehicles, or other emergencies. Motorists should continue to call 911 to report those types of incidents.

Customers can use the hotline number to report any state roadway maintenance concern such as potholes, deer removal or signage issues.  

Once notified, PennDOT will work expeditiously to address pothole and roadway concerns when weather permits; however, winter services remain the primary focus of maintenance crews this time of year.  

PennDOT reminds motorists that they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before traveling. 

Route 65 Bridge Inspection Saturday at West End Bridge

Pittsburgh, PA - PennDOT District 11 is advising motorists that inspection activities on Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) near the West End Bridge in the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, will occur on Saturday, Jan. 23. 

For access, lane closures and restrictions will occur on several ramps and Reedsdale Street under Route 65 between 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. as needed on Saturday. No restrictions will occur on Route 65 and all ramps will remain open.

PennDOT advises motorists to use caution, slow down, and expect changing traffic patterns when traveling through the area. Work zone safety is everyone’s responsibility.

PennDOT also reminds motorists they can log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions on major roadways before traveling. 
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Click here for Google Map of General Area

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY:

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Engineering District 11
Dan Cessna, District Engineer
45 Thoms Run Road
Bridgeville, PA 15017

Jim Struzzi, Press Officer
(412) 429-5010