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September 2, 2011

Senator John Pippy E-News

Recycle Bowl Set for Fall Kick-Off

The first comprehensive nationwide recycling competition for elementary, middle, and high-school students, Recycle-Bowl, is set to kick-off this fall in those Pennsylvania schools accepting the opportunity to vie against schools and students from across the state and country, according to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.

Cash prizes will be awarded to schools following the October 17 through November 12 competitions, culminating around America Recycles Day. Participating schools will track and report how much recyclable material they collect for a chance to win prizes through a successful four-week competition.

Find out how your school can register to participate and view answers to frequently asked questions. The Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation and of Environmental Protection support this fun, interactive way to learn about waste reduction and environmental responsibility through in-school recycling. 

The Legislative Reapportionment Commission to Hold Public Hearing in Pittsburgh on September 14, 2011
Individuals & Groups Invited to Testify/Submit Written Comments

A public hearing of the 2011 Legislative Reapportionment Commission of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will be held on September 14, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. at the Duquesne School of Law, 600 Forbes Avenue, Room 302, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282.

The purpose of this hearing is to invite testimony regarding issues of state-wide importance in reapportioning the House and Senate districts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Individuals or groups who wish to testify at the public hearing are required to submit, in writing, a brief summary of their proposed comments on or before September 9, 2011.

This summary should be submitted to:
Charles E. O'Connor, Jr.
Executive Director
2011 Legislative Reapportionment Commission
Senate Box 203079, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120-3079.

Proposals should include a telephone number where the individuals can be reached during normal business hours. All submissions must be received by the Commission no later than September 9, 2011.

Please advise the Commission office if you require special accommodation to participate in this meeting. Further information can be obtained by contacting Charles E. O'Connor, Jr., Executive Director, at 717-705-6339.  

Interested citizens can also find pertinent information a the Legislative Reapportionment Commission website by visiting:  http://www.redistricting.state.pa.us

Preparing For a Natural Disaster Takes Center Stage

With earthquakes, aftershocks, and hurricanes leading recent news reports, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is reminding residents of a wealth of tips and information to help you and your loved ones to prepare for the unexpected. 

PEMA’s Ready PA emergency preparedness website recommends 3 easy steps to be ready in the event of a disaster:

1. Be Informed
o The First Three Days
o 10 Potential Emergencies

2. Be Prepared
o Make a Plan
o Get a Kit

3. Be Involved
o Citizens Corps
o Emergency Volunteers

Consult the National Weather Service for watches and warnings to remain informed of pending weather conditions. 

Time to Discuss School Bus Safety With Your Children

As the school buses begin to roll, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is encouraging parents to take a moment to discuss safety issues with their children.

Engage your young bus riders to stay safe with the Department’s School Bus Safety Activity Book through coloring pages, word scrambles, crossword puzzles, hidden word games, and missing letter exercises.

Assemble the necessary items (listed in the activity book) for a special craft idea – an egg carton school bus. Use the time together cutting, painting, and pasting to review the lessons imparted through the activities. Key safety measures to reinforce include:

1. Be on time.
2. Never run to or from the bus.
3. Stand back from the curb.
4. Don’t push or shove.
5. Stay in your seat.
6. Don’t yell or shout.
7. Always obey the driver.
8. Always cross at least 10 feet in front of the bus.
9. Never crawl under a school bus.

Refresh your knowledge of Safety Tips for Parents and Students, the School Bus Stopping Law Fact Sheet and the Drive Safe PA Bus Safety Tips Sheet to help you prepare for your youngster’s questions.

Tips to Help Your Students Walk Safely to School

Do your students remember which side of the street to walk on? Do they know what to do if there is no sidewalk? The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is releasing reminders to help students walk safely to and from school.

Share the following tips:

• Walk on the sidewalk.
• If there is no sidewalk, walk on the side of the road facing traffic.
• Only cross streets at corners or marked crosswalks, looking left, right, and then left again before stepping into the street.
• Make eye contact with motorists before crossing the street.
• Always wear bright-colored clothes.
• Carry flashlights if it is dark or hard to see.
• Develop a buddy system for walking to school.
• Avoid shortcuts that include alleys or unfamiliar areas.
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Avoid distractions such as cell phones or headphones.

Reinforce the Rules of the Road with printable kids’ activities from PennDOT’s website, Pedestrian Safety in Pennsylvania: Walk Smart. Use the Walkability Checklist to take a walk with your child for a review of the rules.

Wear It Pennsylvania!

Each year, 80 percent of boating deaths in Pennsylvania are the result of boaters not wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD), according to the PA Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC). Don’t let the joy of autumn boating turn into a marine accident; always remember to wear your PFD while you are on the water.

Be ready to be safe this year while boating and make a promise to yourself and others by taking the Wear It PA Pledge. The pledge recognizes that drowning fatalities related to boating accidents would be dramatically reduced if more boaters wore life jackets. Key points of the PFD pledge include:

• Know how your life jacket works and keep it in good condition.
• Encourage others to wear a life jacket while boating.
• Tell other boaters about new life jacket styles.
• Boat safely and responsibly at all times.
• And, “Wear It!” while boating.

In a personal message from the Executive Director of the PF&BC, boaters are reminded of the ease and comfort of Inflatable Life Jackets. Proper fit is critical to comfort and function. Life jackets that are too small or large can ride up - or even come off when you are in the water.

Consult the Commission’s Boating Safety & Education webpages to make yours a fun and successful experience on Pennsylvania’s waterways.

PennDOT Weekend Traffic Alerts

PennDOT District 11
Weekend Construction Summary
September 2-5, 2011

Pittsburgh, PA – PennDOT District 11 is announcing minimal highway and bridge improvements will occur in Allegheny County this weekend, Sept. 2-5.

Most major restrictions and construction activities will not occur this weekend in respect to Labor Day on Monday. However, long-term restrictions currently in place will remain over the weekend.

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 smoothly and safely 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:
None Scheduled

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.