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Senator John Pippy E-NewsPreparing for Home Heating On the heels of a recent summer heat wave, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (POAG) is reminding consumers that it is not too early to prepare for the months of home heating ahead. The Office is offering helpful tips to consumers to aid in obtaining the least expensive and most reliable heating oil source for the upcoming heating season. These tips include:
In addition to these bargaining factors, the POAG also offers tips on maintenance, conservation, and consumer protection. Explore financial assistance available for eligible Pennsylvanians through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and weatherization services. Biking Rules of the Road Save Lives Pennsylvanians witnessed 1,483 bicycle crashes and 21 bicycle-related deaths during 2010, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), representing an increase of 103 crashes and 5 deaths over 2009. During the five-year span from 2006 through 2010, bicycle crashes and deaths totaled 7,081 and 78, respectively. (See pages 47–50 of the 2010 Pennsylvania Crash Facts & Statistics for bicycle-related data.) PennDOT devotes web space to safe road riding, design, touring, children, and assorted other links for cyclists. The PA Bicycle Drivers Manual - PUB 380 reminds bicyclists that the Rules-of-the-Road apply to drivers of all vehicles regardless of the driver’s age or vehicle type. The publication provides information on appropriate equipment and how to safely handling numerous bicycling situations. Reminder: Remember to Steer Clear of Emergency Responders Motorists encountering an emergency scene, a traffic stop, or a disabled vehicle while driving in Pennsylvania must obey the Commonwealth’s Steer Clear Law, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. The Steer Clear Law requires motorists to move at least one lane away from an incident involving an emergency responder, including law enforcement, tow truck operators, and other emergency personnel. Drivers unable to move over due to traffic or other conditions must reduce their speed. Those who fail to move over or slow down are subject to a citation of up to $250, with double fines for traffic violations occurring during the course of an emergency response incident. Violations leading to a worker being injured can result in a 90-day license suspension. Protecting Pennsylvania's Ash Trees What’s dark green, one-half inch in length, one-eighth inch in width, and can kill an ash tree in three years? The PA Department of Agriculture is announcing that the destructive Emerald Ash Borer is spreading out across 21 counties. First found in Butler County in 2007, this beetle is being discovered in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Centre, Clarion, Cumberland, Fulton, Indiana, Juniata, Lawrence, Lycoming, Mercer, Mifflin, Somerset, Union, Washington, and Westmoreland, and most recently in Huntingdon and Wyoming counties. Help prevent the further spread of this agricultural pest by avoiding the transfer of firewood more than 50 miles from its point of purchase or origin. Outdoor enthusiasts should also avoid the more than 2,000 triangular purple traps hung in ash trees to attract the flying adult beetles. If you suspect you have uncovered an infestation of Emerald Ash Borer beetles, call the Department at 1-866-253-7189. Consult the Homeowners Guide to Emerald Ash Borer Treatment to manage the pest in your backyard. Emergency Foreclosure Assistance Available Families facing foreclosure can apply for help through the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program. Managed by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), this federal assistance is available for those who are delinquent on their mortgage payments. The Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program will provide up to $50,000 for homeowners whose income is cut by 15 percent or more due to job loss, job reduction or medical expenses and are at least three months behind on their mortgage payments. In order to be eligible to receive assistance, a homeowner must reside in the mortgaged property as his or her principal residence. The property must be a single-family residence in a one- to four-unit structure or condominium. Homeowners who remain in their homes for a number of years following the loan period may have all or part of the loan forgiven. To apply for assistance, a homeowner must contact the PHFA at 717-780-3800 for detailed instructions. Emergency mortgage assistance funding will be available until Sept. 30. PennDOT Weekend Traffic Alerts PennDOT District 11 Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists several highway and bridge improvements will be occurring in Allegheny County this weekend, Aug. 5-8. All activities are weather permitting and subject to change. Motorists should plan their travels accordingly by anticipating highway work zones, slowing down, exercising patience and being safe. PennDOT is also reminding motorists approaching lane restricted highway work zones to use all open lanes to the merge point. Please be courteous to other motorists and allow them to merge. The effectiveness of traffic flow in highway work zones is highly dependent on driver behavior. Using all lanes and allowing a consistent, courteous merge will reduce congestion and delay and help traffic move smooth and safe through the work zone. The HOV lanes on the Parkway North (I-279) are open to all outbound traffic on weekends after 7 p.m. on Friday and remain open until 5 a.m. on Mondays. In addition, the two passenger vehicle rule does not apply during weekend hours. To alleviate congestion, motorists are encouraged to use the HOV lanes to exit the downtown area following sports games and other events on weekends. Below is a summary of the major closings and restrictions this weekend: SHORT TERM: The ramp from southbound I-579 (Crosstown Boulevard) to the eastbound (toward Oakland) Boulevard of the Allies (Route 885)/Parkway East (I-376) in the City of Pittsburgh will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday through approximately 6 a.m. on Monday. Traffic will be detoured using Grant Street. Crews will be replacing expansion dams on the ramp. The ramp from Crosstown Boulevard to the southbound Liberty Bridge will remain open this weekend. Full release: Southbound I-579 to Boulevard of the Allies Closed this Weekend in PittsburghGoogle Map of Area: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.439958,-79.993987&spn=0.025673,0.038581&z=15 I-376 - Parkway East Lane Closures Short-term single lane closures on the Parkway East/Central (I-376) in the City of Pittsburgh will occur as needed from 6 a.m. to noon on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Crews will be conducting inspection activities on the ramp from the eastbound Parkway East/Central to Forbes Avenue/Oakland (Exit 72A). Restrictions will occur on I-376 to allow crews to access the overhead ramp. Work will occur westbound on Saturday followed by eastbound on Sunday.
Full release: I-376
Overhead Ramp Inspection this Weekend in Pittsburgh LONG TERM: Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard) in the City of Pittsburgh is closed long-term in both directions at the Marshall Avenue (Route 19) interchange continuously through late November 2011. Crews are rehabilitating the mainline Route 65 bridges at the interchange between the West End and McKees Rocks bridges. Traffic is being detoured using the on-and-off ramps to Beaver Avenue and California Avenue. Full release: Route 65 Long-Term Closures Begin July 15 at Marshall Avenue Interchange in PittsburghGoogle Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.457985,-80.0245&spn=0.051331,0.077162&z=14 Route 28Lane Closures Northbound Route 28 is reduced to a single lane between the 31st and 40th street bridges in the City of Pittsburgh through 2012. Full release: Route 28 East Ohio Street Improvements Begin Aug. 23 at 40th Street Bridge in MillvaleGoogle Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.469282,-79.976006&spn=0.025661,0.038581&z=15
I-579/Crosstown Boulevard Bridges and Ramps Full release: Boulevard of the Allies Ramp to Liberty Bridge Long-Term Closure Begins Sunday in Pittsburgh Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.439958,-79.993987&spn=0.025673,0.038581&z=15 The bridges that connect Sixth and Seventh avenues to Washington Place over I-579 near the Civic Arena are closed continuously through mid-October 2011. Full release: I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Ramp Closures Long-Term Detours Begin this Weekend in Pittsburgh Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.439958,-79.993987&spn=0.025673,0.038581&z=15 I-79 Single lane closures (two of three lanes open) are in place around-the-clock in both directions on I-79 in the area of the bridge over Mingo Road (Route 4051) between Exit 73 and 75 in Marshall Township through mid-August.
Full release: I-79 Bridge Improvements begin Monday in Franklin Park and
Marshall PennDOT Information and Resources: For more information, visit the District 11 website, www.dot.state.pa.us , click PennDOT near you, "11" under "roadwork". PennDOT reminds motorists to call the construction hotline at 412-429-6035 for information and current activities on the Parkway East, Parkway West, Parkway North, I-79 and Route 28. All work is weather permitting. Call 1-800 FIX ROAD to report roadway problems and concerns. Log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions and cameras on major roadways before traveling. The 511 system also automatically feeds Twitter accounts with information such as incidents, construction notices and weather alerts. The Pittsburgh/Southwestern-region account, www.twitter.com/511PAPittsburgh, covers Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Follow PennDOT to receive real-time updates. District 11 offers specialized information for particular roadways and projects. Potential email subscribers should specify preferences for receiving information for the following categories:
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: Pennsylvania Department of
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