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August 19, 2011

Senator John Pippy E-News

Legislative Reapportionment Committee Announces Website & Certifies 2010 Census Data

The Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Committee held a meeting this week to certify 2010 census data for the purpose of redistricting.  The Committee also announced that it would provide public access to the data online, a first in the history of Pennsylvania's Redistricting process.  Interested citizens can visit the website at - http://www.redistricting.state.pa.us/. 
 
The public can use this online tool to access interactive maps to compare and contrast the Senate, House, and Congressional districts from ten years ago with new population numbers, county lines, and school districts, among other options.  The Committee website has tools that allow users to integrate 2010 census data with Google Maps and additional data to see how population shifts may affect the current districts. The Committee website will also allow visitors to contact each of the commissioners, see video from meetings and view upcoming meeting schedules. 

The Legislative Reapportionment Committee's vote to certify the data now means the committee has 90-days to create a preliminary redistricting plan. Once this plan has been created and introduced, the public is offered a 30-day period to provide comments.  After this 30-day window ends, the committee has an additional 30 days to make any adjustments to the original proposal.  It is anticipated that Pennsylvania Senate districts will include an additional 8,000 residents and Pennsylvania House districts will add roughly 2,075.

Currently, the Committee has two more public hearings scheduled, one on September 7 in Allentown and another on September 14 in Pittsburgh.

PA Fish & Boat Commission Announces Fishing Holiday - Family Fishing Festivals Scheduled at Six Locations Labor Day Weekend

Harrisburg, PA - Looking for a way for you and your family to enjoy the Labor Day holiday weekend? The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has two opportunities on that weekend for you and your family to "catch" the fun of fishing.

On Saturday, Sept. 3, the PFBC will host Family Fishing Festivals at six locations in Pennsylvania. And on Labor Day, Monday Sept. 5, it’s the Commission’s second Fish-for-Free Day for 2011. This day allows anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish with no fishing license required on all Pennsylvania's waterways on this day. All other fishing regulations still apply.

"The Family Fishing Festivals are free educational events designed for families with little or no fishing experience," said Carl Richardson, PFBC manager of Education and Outreach. "Participating families will learn basic fishing skills and have an opportunity to practice those skills while fishing together during the program."

The festivals will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at six locations, one in each PFBC region, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks.

The festivals include:

• NW Region: Pymatuning State Park, Linesville, Crawford County
• SW Region: Raccoon Creek State Park, Hookstown, Beaver County
• NC Region: Hills Creek State Park, Wellsboro, Tioga County
• SC Region: Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, Cumberland County
• NE Region: Frances Slocum State Park, Wyoming, Luzerne County
• SE Region: Marsh Creek State Park, Downingtown, Chester County

PennDOT Reminds Motorists to be Patient, Obey School Bus Stopping Law

Harrisburg – School buses are returning to Pennsylvania roadways, prompting a reminder from PennDOT for motorists to watch out for buses and students headed to and from school.

"With students distracted by the start of a new school year, it is all too easy for them to make a mistake and dart into traffic," said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch, P.E. "So that everyone can make it safely to their destination, motorists are reminded to pay attention to students as they board and exit buses, and to obey traffic laws regarding school buses and school zones."

Motorists convicted of violating Pennsylvania's school bus stopping law face a $250 fine, five points on their driving record and a 60-day license suspension.

Under state law, motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended must stop at least 10 feet from the bus.
Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop. However, drivers who encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway are not required to stop. Lanes of a divided highway are clearly separated by a divider, such as concrete barriers or grass medians.

Motorists must also use caution in school zones. Schools are hubs of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, so motorists are required to slow down to the posted speed limit of 15 miles per hour in school zones. Violations carry a fine and three points on the driver’s record.

For more tips, visit the School Bus Safety link under the Traffic Safety Information Center on PennDOT’s highway safety website at www.DriveSafePA.org.  The website also features an animated illustration of the school bus stopping law. 

PennDOT Weekend Traffic Alerts

PennDOT District 11
Weekend Construction Summary
August 19-22, 2011

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is reminding motorists several highway and bridge improvements will be occurring in Allegheny County this weekend, Aug. 19-22.

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:
I-579 Crosstown Boulevard Closures 
Bridge/Ramp work
The ramp from southbound I-579 (Crosstown Boulevard) to the southbound Liberty Bridge (Route 3069) in the City of Pittsburgh will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday through approximately 6 a.m. on Monday. Crews will replace bearings under the ramp. The detour will use Grant Street to the Boulevard of the Allies.

Full release: Southbound I-579 to Boulevard of the Allies Closed this Weekend in Pittsburgh
Google Map of Area:  http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.439958,-79.993987&spn=0.025673,0.038581&z=15   

I-376 - Parkway West
Sign Work
Crews will be removing temporary signs on the inbound (westbound) Parkway East (I-376) beginning at the Squirrel Hill Tunnel continuing to the Boulevard of the Allies to the Liberty Bridge ramp from 8 p.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Sunday. Short-term lane closures will occur.

Full release: Boulevard of the Allies Ramp to Liberty Bridge Reopens Sunday in Pittsburgh 
Google Map of Area:  http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.43055,-79.930558&spn=0.025676,0.038581&z=15&vpsrc=6 

I-79
Utility Work
Four traffic stoppages of 15 minutes or less will occur in both directions on I-79 between 9 a.m. to noon Sunday in the area north of the Collier Avenue (Route 3117) overpass between Exit 55 (Kirwan Heights) and Exit 57 (Carnegie). Crews from Duquesne Light will be performing work above I-79.

Full release: I-79 Traffic Stoppages Sunday in Collier for Overhead Utility Work
Google Map of Area: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.393104,-80.100331&spn=0.02569,0.038581&z=15&vpsrc=6

Bridge Work
Lane closures will occur on I-79 in the area of the Warrendale-Bayne Road (Route 4052) interchange (Exit 75) from 10 p.m. on Friday through noon on Saturday. Southbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane (two lanes closed) with northbound traffic reduced to two lanes (one lane closed). Crews will be paving shoulders and painting edge lines on the Warrendale-Bayne Road overpass bridges. Delays should be expected.

Full release: I-79 Lane Closures Friday and Saturday in Marshall
Google Map of Area: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.717079,-80.077629&spn=0.204531,0.308647&z=12&vpsrc=6 

Route 50
Bridge Work
Traffic on Route 50 (Washington Road/Pike) in Collier Township will be reduced to a single lane in each direction shifted to one side of the roadway away from work areas from 8 p.m. on Friday continuously through 6 a.m. on Monday. Crews will be removing and replacing strip seal dams on the bridge that carries Route 50 over Chartiers Creek near the intersection of Thoms Run Road.

Full release: Route 50 Single Lane this Weekend in Collier
Google Map of Area: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.380012,-80.097134&spn=0.012848,0.01929&z=16&vpsrc=6

LONG TERM:
Route 65 
Lane Closures
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 Pittsburgh
Google Maps: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.457985,-80.0245&spn=0.051331,0.077162&z=14

Route 28
Lane 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 Millvale
Google 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
The ramp from the westbound Boulevard of the Allies to the southbound Liberty Bridge (Route 3069) is closed continuously through Aug. 20 for bridge rehabilitation.

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

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:

• All roadways and bridges in Allegheny, Beaver or Lawrence counties;
• Weekend work and restrictions in Allegheny County (this will only include restrictions and work activities that occur on weekends);
• Parkway East (I-376);
• Parkway West (I-376) ;
• Parkway North (I-279);
• Interstate 79;
• West Liberty Avenue and Liberty Tunnel Improvements;
• Route 28 (Allegheny Valley Expressway);
• Route 65 (Ohio River Boulevard);
• Route 48 Boston Bridge; and
• Route 19 Wexford Flats Project.
  

Potential subscribers should send their email address and location preferences to Press Officer Jim Struzzi at jstruzzi@state.pa.us or contact the PennDOT District 11 Press Office by phone at 412-429-5010.